Title
On-site Capacity Rules for Govt in NCR MECQ
Law
Memorandum Circular No. 88
Decision Date
Aug 17, 2005
The Philippine government extends the applicability of a memorandum circular to ensure government agencies in the National Capital Region remain operational during the Modified Enhanced Community Quarantine, with a minimum on-site capacity of 20% and the remainder under work-from-home arrangements, except for agencies providing critical services.

Law Summary

Community Quarantine Classification in NCR

  • NCR was under Enhanced Community Quarantine (ECQ) for 15 days
  • Subsequently placed under Modified Enhanced Community Quarantine (MECQ) from August 21 to August 31, 2021

Omnibus Guidelines on Community Quarantine Implementation

  • Establishes on-site capacity rules for establishments during different quarantine levels
  • Government agencies under ECQ or MECQ to operate with skeleton workforce on-site
  • Exceptions for agencies providing health, emergency, laboratory, border control, or critical services to have greater on-site capacity

Memorandum Circular No. 87 (s. 2021) Background

  • Issued during previous NCR ECQ period
  • Sets minimum on-site capacity for executive branch agencies and GOCCs at not less than 20%
  • Rest of the workforce allowed work-from-home arrangements

Extension of Memorandum Circular No. 87 Applicability

  • Due to ongoing COVID-19 severity and public service needs, the Circular is extended for August 21 to 31, 2021

Government Operations During MECQ (Section 1)

  • All government agencies and instrumentalities in NCR shall remain fully operational
  • Must follow authorized on-site capacity and work-from-home guidelines

On-site Capacity Rules for MECQ Period (Section 2)

  • Minimum skeleton workforce of 20% on-site for executive agencies and GOCCs
  • Size of skeleton workforce determined by the head of agency based on service continuity needs
  • Agencies offering health, emergency frontline, laboratory/testing, border control, or other critical services may operate at full capacity on-site
  • Definitions:
    • On-site capacity: percentage of workforce physically present at workplace
    • Skeleton workforce: minimum on-site personnel needed to maintain basic functions

Reporting and Oversight Duties of Agency Heads (Section 3)

  • Heads must submit skeleton workforce details and operational arrangements to supervising department heads
  • Immediate implementation of the skeleton workforce upon MECQ onset
  • Department heads may require modifications based on health or service needs

Recommendation for Other Government Branches (Section 4)

  • Legislative, judicial branches, independent commissions, and local government units in NCR are strongly urged to adopt similar on-site capacity rules

Effectivity (Section 5)

  • The Memorandum Circular takes effect immediately upon issuance on August 20, 2021

Issuance Authority

  • Signed by Executive Secretary Salvador C. Medialdea
  • Issued by authority of the President of the Philippines

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