House lawmakers will be mandated to physically peform their duties in Congress after House Secretary General Reginal Velasco issued memorandum on the return of 100 percent on-site workforce.
In a Memorandum dated July 27 and released on Friday, Velasco said the House of Representatives will be reverting to the 100 percent on-site workforce beginning August 1.
"Work-from-home arrangemeents shall no longer be allowed except for compelling cirumstances, subject to the approval of the Secretary General," he added.
Basahin> kopya ng memo ni House Sec Gen Reginald Velasco. Simula Aug 1, ipatutupad na ang 100% on-site workforce sa Kamara. Di na papayagan ang WFH arrangements pero depende sa sitwasyon at pag-apruba ng Sec Gen @dzrhnews pic.twitter.com/gVCbJD5DrN
— milky rigonan 💋 (@milkyrigonan) July 28, 2023
Velasco noted that lawmakers will still need to observe good personal hygiene and ensure regular sanitation and cleaning of common areas and workplaces.
The Health and Safety Officers (HSOs) are still mandated to monitor and report employees who are sick.
"However, Targeted Antigen Testing shall be administered as needed," the House Secretary General said.
Velasco also said that all circulars, orders, and memoranda that are inconsistent with the newly-issued memo shall be considered "recinded" or lifted.
The Congress has been implementing hybrid set-up, where members can attend session and hearings online or onsite, due to the pandemic.
The House Secretary General issued the memorandum after President Ferdinand ‘Bongbong’ Marcos Jr. formally lifted the COVID-19 state of public health emergency status throughout the country.