Century Pacific Food, Inc. (CNPF), one of the country’s leading food companies, has implemented enhanced health and hygiene safety measures in its manufacturing facilities to protect their workers during the pandemic as early as March 2020.
As more of the workforce returns to the office with the shift to General Community Quarantine (GCQ), CNPF continues to put the health and safety of its employees as the top priority. To ensure a safe and healthy return to work while preventing the transmission of COVID-19, CNPF partnered with RelianceUnited, a wholly-owned subsidiary of United Laboratories, Inc, the leading pharmaceutical and healthcare provider in the Philippines.
RelianceUnited through ActiveOne, its corporate clinic services provider, will be providing CNPF with a COVID Infection Control Program that focuses on the long-term adoption of occupational safety and health measures, including future preparedness to help limit the impact of the virus.
David San Pedro, President of RelianceUnited shared his firm’s perspective that “Managing the risk of COVID-19 is more than just about testing. It is about delivering a comprehensive infection control program that triages symptomatic employees and monitors them at home, and assures those who go in that their work environment is kept safe.”
The integrated program is composed of three distinct components which address critical requirements of the workforce and business operations to navigate through the new normal.
First, telemedicine hotline service will be available to CNPF employees. Services include telephone-based medical consultation and triaging, diagnostic testing, and daily monitoring of employee condition for any progression or regression. ActiveOne is tapping into their pool of senior MDs and RNs to provide competent and accessible medical care during this period of heightened paranoia and uncertainty.
Second, a COVID-19 Facilities and Process Risk Assessment of CNPF’s headquarters, select manufacturing facilities, and common operational activities will be done to ensure risks of COVID-19 exposure and infection are identified and addressed. The latest DOLE and CDC guidelines on social distancing, hygiene, and disinfection will be introduced into CNPF’s facilities and employees will be trained on the proper use of PPEs, as well as proper personal care to reduce the risk of acquiring an infection.
Finally, to reinforce protection of employees, individual testing, medical assessments, and treatment will be made available. For high-risk employees, a personal health protection plan will also be provided.
“As we continue to work to make essential food products available for our consumers, we stand behind our employees ensuring that we are able to provide the best available health and safety program for them especially during these challenging times,” said Gregory Banzon, Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of CNPF.
The continuous efforts to actively reduce risks and provide peace of mind to employees is of paramount importance to CNPF during this pandemic. This also allows for continuous operation and availability of CNPF canned products for everyone during these trying times.
