COVID-19 IMPACT ON THE ADMINISTRATIVE DIVISION’S PROGRAMS AND ACTIVITIES It is an incontrovertible fact that the onset of COVID-19, declared by the World Health Organization as a global pandemic, has affected the mobility of people, sparing not even those in the government service. Utilization of government funds is, likewise, affected because of restrictions imposed upon by the Government as regards varying community quarantine declarations. All sectors and industries, even the government, have been greatly affected. Despite all the restrictions and limitations in mobility to prevent the spread of COVID-19, the Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB) was able to accomplish its targets and commitments. ‘The Administr ive Division has made adjustments on its activities to achieve the targets. Even certain funds, with authority from the Department of Budget and Management, were realigned to make sure that human capital will be protected from COVID-19. Fieldworks were conducted under strict compliance with public health standards set by the Inter-Agency Task Force on the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases or IATF, including the local travel restrictions and border control. Further, the Administrative Division, despite restrictions and limitations, was able to accomplish its targets and commitments for 2020 and even during the first half of 2021. Efficient administration of required pre-employment examinations like Job Knowledge Test (IKT) was done through online using the Microsoft Teams to avoid delays in the Recruitment, Selection and Promotion (RSP) process. Likewise, the traditional face to face interview of job applicants and the deliberation meetings of the Human Resource Merit and Promotion Board (HRMPSB) are being done through video conferencing to expedite processing of applications. Conduct of training courses was also done through various online platforms in order to achieve the targeted or scheduled training programs. In 2020, the Administrative Division facilitated / coordinated with the DENR the administration of Rapid Test. Those who were infected with COVID-19 were referred /endorsed to their respective Local Government Units (LGUs), more particularly to the Barangay concerned for the appropriate medical procedures and recovery. To protect all the employees from getting infected with COVID-19, MGB, this year, requested the Quezon City Local Government for the COVID-19 vaccination roll-out and the same was granted and administered last July 21, 2021. Prior to that, the MGB forged a Memorandum of Agreement with the Philippine Red Cross to facilitate the Reverse Transcription Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT-PCR) or SWAB test for field men. Page 1 of 3Records management continues with its functions with certain preventive measures and modified receiving method in place to ensure the safety and health of the Records Management's staff. ‘The Cashiering Section, on the other hand, shifted to online payment of fees and charges while bank transactions are made under the strict observance of public health standards and that of the protocols imposed by the bank. ‘To prevent the spread of COVID-19 inside the service vehicles, the General Services Section provided acrylic and plastic barriers, the availability of alcohol, thermal scanner and passenger's logbook. Every entrance was provided with foot bath and alcohol dispenser. At the main lobby, thermal scanner is in place to check body temperature of all coming in the Office. ‘The Engineering Unit installed the vehicle disinfection spray device at the main gate of MGB. Despite the threat of COVID-19, the feeder line and re-wiring project started and is practically completed. As a pro-active measure to address the possibility of COVID-19 work transmission, the used to be Day Care Center was converted into an isolation facility. ‘The effects of COVID-19 on the procurement process are quite observable as indicated below: ~ _Inaccessibility of procurement documents and/or unavailability of signatories due to work from home arrangement and non-adoption of digital signatories; - Delay in the delivery of goods and services; - Failure of bidding due to lack of bidders; - Adoption on the new normal, such as virtual opening, virtual pre procurement and virtual pre bid conference; - Difficulty in verifying and conforming procurement data that will be reflected in the reports considering the work from home arrangement of the responsible employees; and - delay with post qualification evaluation of prospective winning bidder due to LGU restrictions / imposed. Page 2 of 3For 2022, the MGB will continue to implement the following activities in order to combat COVID-19: 1 continue strengthened linkages and networking with the Quezon City Local Government Unit (LGU) and other agencies concerned like Philippine Red Cross and Department of Health for COVID-19 cases management; 2. continue strict implementation of preventive measures like contactless transactions such online payment, QR Code tracing, procedure, body temperature checking; 3. provision of safety and health kit against COVID-19 to all employees that will include face mask, vitamins, alcohol/ sanitizer, face shield, thermometer and soap; 4. strict observance of minimum public health standards in the workplace; 5. implementation of alternative work arrangement to lessen employees’ exposure to COVID-19; 6. provision of service vehicles for scheduled skeleton workforce; 7. thorough conduct of disinfection procedures in all MGB buildings and premises; 8. procurement of equipment like additional laptops, communication device, internet connection and other enabling instruments to effectively carry out the thrusts and mandates of the MGB; and 9. conduct of health and wellness activities to ensure the over-all well-being of all employees Submitted by Chief Administrative Division Page 3 of 3