Civil Service Commission Commissioner Aileen Lizada MANILA - An official of the Civil Service Commission (CSC) on Monday reminded government agencies to look after their employees' safety and security amid the prevailing pandemic. In a televised public briefing, CSC Commissioner Aileen Lizada said government agencies must adhere to the guidelines set by the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases on the reduction of onsite workforce while Alert Level 3 is hoisted in their areas. To date, about 161 government employees are confirmed positive with Covid-19. Under Department of Budget and Management Circular (DBM) No. 2020-14, government agencies have the option to utilize their respective budgets for purposes of implementing health protocols at no cost to the employees. "Puwede ho tayong gumawa ng home care Covid kit para sa ating mga empleyado, kunin natin sa MOOE [maintenance and other operating expenses]. Allowed na po naman ito, mayroon naman(We can produce Covid kits for our employees from our MOOE. This is allowed, per) DBM circular," Lizada said. The provision of Covid-19 home care kits for government employees would "de-clog the health centers" frequented by the public, she added. For government agencies in areas under Alert Level 2, Lizada noted that alternative work arrangements must be implemented. "We talked about reduction of workforce, but it does not talk about stoppage of government workforce," she said. "We need to serve the public continuously but likewise hand in hand, we also have to protect our government employees." (PNA) }