Safe malling experience assured

Majority of the Ayala malls have secured certifications.

Nearly all Ayala malls nationwide have now received the Safety Seal Certification, an assurance to patrons, merchants and employees that malls under the Ayala brand faithfully abide by the health and safety protocols.

“Since the onset of COVID-19, Ayala Malls has been in full compliance with the eligibility requirements of the Safety Seal certification, such as the implementation of screening areas for customers going in and out of the mall, physical distancing, mandatory wearing of face masks and face shields, and regular thorough disinfection of public areas and high-touch surfaces,” said Ayala Malls president Christopher Maglanoc.

The Safety Seal Certification Program is a voluntary certification scheme instituted by the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases. It is implemented by the Departments of Trade and Industry (DTI), Health, Labor and Employment, the Interior and Local Government, Tourism and Transportation.

All the Ayala Malls underwent a stringent process to secure the Safety Seal.

The program encourages establishments to uphold the minimum public health standard set by the government and, ultimately, to participate in the nation’s bid to safely reopen the economy.

In Metro Manila, Glorietta, Greenbelt, Market! Market!, Trinoma, Bonifacio High Street, Serendra, Ayala Malls Circuit and Alabang Town Center already received their certification. So, too, have The 30th, UP Town Center, Vertis North, Ayala Malls Manila Bay, Cloverleaf, Feliz, Marikina and Fairview Terraces.

Beyond the capital, the Safety Seal is also proudly displayed on the entrances of Solenad in Nuvali and Pavilion Mall, both in Laguna; The District Imus; Serin in Tagaytay; Harbor Point in Subic; Marquee Mall in Angeles City; as well as Ayala Center Cebu and Abreeza in Davao City.

All the Ayala Malls underwent a stringent process to secure the Safety Seal. Government units visited the locations for scheduled and surprise inspections to examine the sanitation and social distancing measures, even whether or not the malls had adequate ventilation. The teams also checked on the use of contract tracing apps like StaySafe.ph and other ones prescribed by the malls’ local government units.

Ayala Malls continues to ensure compliance to health protocols.

Malls must also gather emergency contact numbers linked up to the Barangay Health Emergency Response Team, City Epidemiology Surveillance Unit and the nearest hospital, among others. Lastly, they should have the documents necessary for the application process, such as a Mayor’s Permit and a DTI/SEC registration form.

Collectively, Ayala Malls boasts of a high compliance rate with the government’s prescribed minimum public health standards. Other Ayala Malls are already at 91 percent compliance, close to getting their Safety Seals.

“As we move forward amid the new normal setup in the coming years, we are also mobilizing more programs and innovation to ensure comfort and ease for all our shoppers in all our malls,” Maglanoc said.