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The Importance of Biophilic Design in a Post-Lockdown Office

The future of the workplace is now being shaped by the pandemic and its implications on health, socialization, and the ideal office set up for its occupiers’ security and safety. Many are proposing that a biophilic may be the most ideal workplace design in a post-pandemic era. A biophilic office became on-trend to ‘bring the outside in’. Biophilic offices aim to increase the connection between people and nature by incorporating natural elements through texture, scenery, and lighting into the actual workspace.

In the previous years, the shift towards promoting a greener space in the office has been greatly campaigned for. Studies find that incorporating biophilic design has a positive effect on the employees’ productivity, mood, and health. In fact, workplace strategists have reported that office spaces which introduce elements of nature have witnessed a decrease in the levels of mental fatigue among staff members and an increase in levels of workplace wellbeing.

RELATED: Building a ‘Biophilic’ Office: What is Biophilia and How can it Benefit your Business

Businesses prioritize the health and safety of their workforce as employees start coming back to the office amid the threats of the COVID-19 pandemic. More than strict precautionary measures protecting the physical health, employers should also cater to the emotional and mental well-being of their people.

Open Plan to Open Air

While many companies have resorted to shifting to a remote working scheme, others have slowly commenced their business re-entry strategies as lockdown restrictions ease. Moreover, employees believe that working from their homes is not really a viable long-term solution transitioning into the new normal. As the world adapts to the new ways dictated by the COVID-19 pandemic, the office evolves to attend to additional safety needs and requirements.

Frontrunners of a biophilic office argue that this office design will not only ensure the protection and safety of its occupiers, but it will also improve it as it addresses the overall wellness of people—from their physical to their psychosocial needs in the workplace. This should be given emphasis as ‘the boundaries between work and personal life are becoming more and more blurred’ given the different circumstances brought by the health crisis.

One of the simplest requirements for building a biophilic office is the introduction of plants and greenspaces within the work area. By introducing plants, either in pots or in the form of living green walls into the office environment, indoor air quality is improved as the vegetation can help in absorbing pollutants, toxins, and disease-carrying viruses. This can complement a building’s air filtration system that optimizes disease prevention.

Indoor air quality (IAQ) refers to the air quality within and around buildings and structures, related to the health and comfort of its occupants. Research has found that IAQ is two to five times worse than outdoor air quality. In fact, according to research by the US Joint Commission, 40 percent of all sickness absence is down to indoor air pollution or poor air quality.

One study has concluded that air filtration in the office as a response to the pandemic is very crucial in reducing transmission and cross infection within working environments.

READ MORE: JEG Tower Focus: MERV and Fresh Air System for Optimal Indoor Air Quality

Another study has confirmed that plants can remove harmful volatile organic compounds such as formaldehyde and benzene, which can be commonly found in paint, carpeting, and furniture of most buildings. Plants can also bring vapor back into the air and prevent dry air that irritates sensitive membranes in the nose and throat, making employees more susceptible to viruses and allergens.

Biophilic offices can also greatly impact the mental health and cognitive function of employees, especially as they face more stress and anxiety in the time of a pandemic. According to research, while physically being inside a confined space, biophilic features such as green space and access to natural lighting can help reduce stress, anger, and anxiety. It can also lead to improved self-esteem and a better image of self in the long run.

Gensler reported that being exposed to nature through a biophilic office can help foster a more positive outlook within the workspace. Exposing employees to natural light, refreshing views, and fresh indoor air can create a more harmonious and positive outlook in the office.

Moreover, employees who are exposed to natural daylight are more productive and inspired to complete tasks at hand. Scientifically, sunlight boosts the creation of the body’s melatonin that regulates the sleep-wake cycle of people, creating a positive impact on their energy levels.

Interior design consultant Lloyd Coldrick noted that workplace design has the power to change the state of mind. He said, “We are all highly sensitive to the behavioral cues embedded in our environments and unthinkingly adjust our mannerisms, mood, and body language as we adapt to our surroundings.”

Investing in an office apt for the new normal? Reach out to Michael Glindro and know more about JEG Tower @ One Acacia. Call him at (+63) 917-584-0443 or send an email to mike.g@kmcmaggroup.com. For inquiries, call us at (+63) 2-8403-5519 or email jegtower@kmcmagroup.com.

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Pushing Sustainable Offices: Leveraging smart technology for safety, productivity

Returning to a safer and smarter workplace has been a consideration for most businesses and locators in the Philippines. As the global struggle with the COVID-19 pandemic persists, the post-lockdown landscape is focusing on adopting technology and stringent measures to make sure that people and communities are not at risk in environments they frequent such as the office. 

A shift to a more sustainable and smart office is slowly becoming a main point of distinction. In the Philippines, experts say that majority are still likely to return to physical office spaces for certain operational needs such as spontaneous cross-collaboration, mentorship, and even socialization. 

Fostering a collaborative work environment is as important as keeping it safe. Investing in smart technology can ensure that businesses can still grow productivity and cultivate innovation amid the challenges posed by the public health crisis.  

The rise of automation 

Going contactless or touchless is one of the main features to consider for the smart office. Sensors, access cards, or recognition software can be utilized in the entry to and exit from the premises and its amenities. This will help reduce the risks of contamination and transmission in these spaces. 

In some buildings such as JEG Tower @ One Acacia, you can enter through automatic sliding doors, and scanning of QR codes will be implemented so employees and visitors can input their information in a hassle-free manner. In common area bathrooms, automatic faucets and flushing will be installed to make it hands-free or remove unnecessary surface contact. 

RELATED: JEG Tower Focus – Additional Safety Features for Disease Prevention 

More technology efficiency 

Beyond disease prevention, sustainability is supported by smart technology via more efficient use of energy. Elevators using Destination Oriented Allocation System is recommended as it helps reduce congestion at the halls via efficient authorization at security gates and optimum car allocation.  

As one of the premium LEED buildings in Cebu, JEG Tower is one of the spaces that focus on energy efficiency or the proper use of resources for the sake of the environment. This is not only impactful to the occupants of the building but also the Cebuano community as a whole.  

Improved Connection 

The gradual return of the workforce will demand better communication channels and connectivity. Beyond strong ICT infrastructure, smart offices should enable stable and streamlined communication within and outside the organization by availing hi-tech equipment, telco provisions, internet options, and use of software or apps that can support frequent digital communication and collaboration.    

RELATED: 5 Apps to Help You Get Through Working From Home 

Safer Conduct of Business  

With the ongoing pandemic, minimum public health standards and protocols are in place and should be followed. Prioritizing client and workforce wellbeing by digitizing key aspects of transactions and operations through the smarter use of technology will help guarantee customer satisfaction and employee retention.  

Utilizing digital tools or online-based platforms for virtual tours or contactless payment options will assure convenience and more security. In line with this, one can schedule site viewings to JEG Tower @ One Acacia and answer the mandated health declaration form online ahead of the visit. A 360 virtual showroom will also soon be available for easier viewing of their premium spaces. 

The pivot towards sustainability and pandemic-proofing the workplace goes beyond aesthetics. The value of spaces can be reliant on its ability to invest in the correct technology that will seek to protect the wellness of occupants without sacrificing business continuity or opportunities for expansion.

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Sustainable Design: Impacts to New Normal and Climate Change

As the country eases to a more relaxed quarantine status, many begin to look forward to the ‘new normal’. However, health experts remind that this transition is a gradual shift, given the transition would not occur at the flip of the switch. 

Different industries and business sectors have started employing various strategies to adapt to the changes brought by the pandemic. The real estate sector has undoubtedly been affected by COVID-19 in unprecedented ways, reshaping how developers and investors think about the design and purpose of buildings and establishments. 

Many developments are taking the opportunity to transform the design towards sustainability, prioritizing the health and wellness of their building occupiers and contributing less to environmental degradation. Transitioning to the ‘new normal’ opens a chance for developers and property owners to create spaces that are sanitary and sustainable in the long term, collectively making cities more efficient, safer, cleaner, and smarter. 

Post-Pandemic Office Makeovers 

Redesigning offices to prioritize sanitation and sustainability can result in healthier workspaces. Companies are investing in smart technology to ensure the safety and protection of its employees against various health hazards.  

To ensure minimized contact among occupants, a contactless or a low-touch office experience becomes the new standard. This includes limiting contact in operating certain equipment such as printer screens, elevator buttons, or door handles by replacing them with technology-enabled by sensors. Workplace strategists expect more automatic doors and screens to be more common to significantly remove the need for touching handles or pressing buttons.   

RELATED: The Future of Workplace: Contactless Features and Smart Technology 

New Normal Workplace Design  

Many argue that open office layouts will no longer be the trend in workplace design especially in the new normal. Some suggest that many businesses will resort back to the boxed and cubicle style office to ensure physical distancing among employees.   

However, since these changes will not be abrupt, companies are implementing a staggered seating plan which eradicates ‘elbow-to-elbow’ seating, and the use of shared desks and workstations. This would also result in newfound “openness” as companies reduce tables, chairs, and other office equipment that take up space.  

Some are utilizing a shifting workforce scheme that effectively reduces the number of employees inside the office during specific work hours, capping the in-office staff at 30 to 50 percent to maintain social distancing. 

Workplace strategists also suggest visual cues on floors and walls to ensure a safe six-feet buffer for every employee, regardless of whether they’re sitting at their desk or walking to the restroom.  

Sustainability in Construction for Disease Prevention 

The COVID-19 pandemic has also opened the discussion on the implications of building and construction to climate change and health. More than redesigning workplaces and implementing strategies, the real estate sector can contribute to disease prevention on a larger scale by building with the environment in mind.  

According to some studies, constructing buildings account for one-third of global greenhouse gas emissions and consume 40% of the world’s energy. It is also one of the largest sources of CO2 emissions which evidently cause a rampant rise in temperature that worsen climate condition. Research has linked this to the increased risk of pathogens being transmitted between animals and humans.  

Through sustainability and green real estate, buildings aim to use better materials and comply with construction methods that reduce the harmful effects on the environment. Alternative construction materials such as recycled steel, low e-glass, sheep’s wool, bamboo, and cork are beginning to be widely used. Copper is also becoming an alternative to iron construction materials since it is less hospitable to germs and disease-carrying viruses. 

Aside from construction materials, the design of a building also changes to prioritize health and sustainability. Ventilation systems are being reconfigured to flow air down from the ceiling rather than from the floor up. Larger windows are also becoming the standard to allow maximum daylight and reduce energy usage inside buildings. All these modifications are geared towards achieving long-term resiliency and mitigating any future physical or market shocks, together with the reduction of a building’s carbon footprint. 

These changes do not only prioritize the health and safety of employees inside buildings. These are also stringent measures that improve their happiness, motivation, and productivity inside the workspace. 

READ MORE: Employees working in LEED-certified buildings are Happier, Healthier, and More Productive 

The COVID-19 pandemic served as a timely reminder of the role of real estate in shaping the health of communities and impacting the environment. Given the opportunity to adapt and shift towards sustainability, buildings and developments should keep in mind that more people are in need and will demand a safer, healthier, and more sustainable environment. 

Learn more about sustainability in design and real estate. Contact Lorenzo Martin Rodriguez at (+63) 917-825-6884. You can also call us at (+63) 2-8403-5519 or send an email to jegtower@kmcmaggroup.com. 

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The Importance of Public Health in Communities

There is a renewed global recognition of the importance of health and wellness after the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic. As the world continues to learn lessons on the safety and protection of communities, the focus is now shifted on why public health in communities is a crucial point of discussion. 

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, a healthy community is a prepared community. The best way of preparing for potential outbreaks in the future is by ensuring that the health of the overall community. Public or Community Health is a term used to describe the state of health and how easy or difficult it is to be healthy where people live, learn, work, and play. An effective way of preparing for future health risks is starting within communities, working on the way up to a larger scale.  

Experts say that even without the existence of health emergencies or threats, public health should be one of the main priorities of local authorities and national governments. This includes the continuous promotion of good nutrition, physical activity, and proper hygiene. 

In the report by the World Health Organization, a safe and healthy community can be ensured through effective policymaking and guidelines administration that is focused on stopping the infection. Healthcare workers are tasked to implement the standard precautions for basic infection control depending on the possible patient demographic such as children or the elderly. 

Additional protective measures may be deemed necessary such as lessening the exposure to and transmission of pathogens using PPEs and other engineering or environmental controls, especially in ventilation.  

In relation to effective policymaking for public health, recommendations are being made to make policies more inclusive and non-discriminatory for communities. Protective measures and solutions that are recognized as inclusive and durable must cover the improvement of living conditions including detention centers, and comprehensive workforce policy. 

RELATED: Optimizing Buildings for Disease Prevention   

In the “New Normal”, integrating these protective measures to how schools, workplace, and how other industries operate will be vital. Mandatory measures such as temperature checking and requiring health clearances will be done to ensure the wellness of the community in each location or sector. The CDC is also pushing for the strict compliance of regular disinfection of all environmental surfaces to help lower the risk and considering the possible presence of the elderly or the immunocompromised in the said community.  

RELATED: How LEED Certification can help prevent disease spread in the future 

Providing a workplace setting that uplifts and prioritizes the overall health and wellness of its employees creates a huge impact on public health. As active members of the community, employees who spend the majority of their day working in office setups should be in a work environment that ensures their safety and wellbeing, not only during a pandemic or once there is a threat to their health. 

Premium green buildings, such as JEG Tower @ One Acacia, invests in the well-being of their tenants by optimizing their building design and operations. Following industry standards, these commercial establishments put a premium on their health, while practicing sustainability and energy efficiency. 

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5 Apps to Help You get through Working From Home

Transitioning to a work from home set up is not as easy as it sounds. Many people would struggle with the sudden change of environment and routine that was brought about by the community lockdowns and precautionary measures against the COVID-19 pandemic. 
 
According to experts, shifting to a work from home setting can be difficult for the mind to process as it blurs the line between the space for work and the space to rest. Employees and business owners should find the right equilibrium between achieving a better work-life balance and boosting productivity while working through a global crisis. 

Here are some mobile applications to help you boost productivity and prioritize your health as you work amid the COVID-19 pandemic: 

Leading and Managing a Team: Basecamp 3 or Trello 

Basecamp 3 and Trello are mobile apps that let you keep track of your team’s to-do lists, communicate with them through a message board or chat room, and organize and assign tasks per employee. Through these kinds of app, a ‘virtual meeting room’ where employees can post files, add revisions, and post comments may be accessible while working from home. 

Available on Android and iOS 

Keeping track of time: Flat Tomato 

Flat Tomato is an amazing and cute app which you can use to track and set a timer per task. It is based on the Pomodoro Technique of breaking work sessions into 25 minutes of intense focus broken by five-minute breaks and one 10-minute break every hour. According to studies, this technique is an effective way of boosting productivity without exhausting your brain. 

Available on iOS, similar apps are available on Android 

Background Noise to Focus: Sound Bored 

Miss the ambient sound of the office? Sound Bored is an app that offers a lot of background noise and music to help you focus and concentrate on work better. It promises ‘sanity saving office sounds to soothe your WFH situation’. According to experts, playing ambient or background office music can actually increase your focus and boost productivity while working remotely. 

Available on iOS, similar apps are available on Android 

Sanity Breaks: Take a Break Please 

One of the most effective ways of taking care of your mental health is allowing yourself to take a few breaks in between tasks and meetings. As its name suggests, “Take a Break Please” is an app where you can set aside time just to pause and breathe. This app is a reminder to take short breaks to recalibrate your focus. You can configure the time among breaks and the period of the break. 

Available on Android and Windows 

RELATED: Taking Care of Your Mental Health: Why it Matters in Time of a Pandemic 

Stress Relief and Meditation: Headspace 

Working from home, along with the drastic changes happening to life brought by the pandemic, takes a huge toll on the mental health of individuals. Taking care of your mental health should be one of your top priorities during crucial times like this. 

Headspace is an app that provides a lot of handy guided meditations that can be helpful in alleviating stress and anxiety, boosting productivity, improving exercise forms, and allowing an overall positive effect on the physical health. This app also has short SOS meditations you can squeeze in between tasks. 

Available on Android and iOS 

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Ways to strengthen your immune system during a pandemic

Since the vaccine for COVID-19 is still on the works, the World Health Organization has advised the public that proper handwashing and hygiene practices, as well as social distancing, remains to be the best defense against the virus. Experts also agree that a strong immune system can keep you healthy and give you a sense of control in an uncertain time.  

Eat right and keep a balanced diet  

One of the most effective ways of keeping a healthy immune system is eating right. Begin by filling your plate with immune-boosting fruits and vegetables such as carrots, kale, oranges, strawberries, and broccoli. Eggs, milk, nuts, and mushrooms can also provide necessary vitamins and nutrients to keep your immunity up during a pandemic.  

Get active and exercise  

Physical activity can give your immune system a great boost in a myriad of ways. Researchers have shown that exercise improves immune systems. Exercising regularly improves your body’s natural production of antibodies that help in fighting viruses and infection.  

Relax and try meditation  

Living through a pandemic is a very stressful circumstance that it can negatively affect the immune system and take a toll on a person’s mental health. A recent study involving more than 1,600 people has suggested that meditation boosts their immune system. Meditation can be as simple as taking time in the morning or at night, relaxing, and breathing properly and emptying your mind.  

Stress and anxiety management  

Numerous studies have linked stress and the immune system. In fact, a study has proven that psychological stress increases susceptibility to illness. According to health experts, prolonged or chronic stress can negatively impact the immune system as it reduces the body’s natural ability to fight viruses and bacteria. Moreover, people under a lot of stress are more likely to develop poor coping strategies such as excessive alcohol consumption, cigarette smoking, poor diet, or lack of sleep which also negatively impact the immune system. 

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Optimizing Buildings for Disease Prevention

The connection between health and the environment becomes increasingly defined as the world learns more about the COVID-19 pandemic. According to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, this new coronavirus strain can be spread in three main ways:  

  • Person-to-person via direct contact;  
  • Person-to-person via airborne respiratory droplets produced when an infected person cough or sneezes;  
  • Surface-to-person via contact with surfaces or objects that hold the virus, followed by an individual touching their mouth, nose, or eyes.  

Buildings and public spaces play a huge role in disease prevention and control. From its design to operations, buildings contribute to the battle against the spread of viruses in workplaces and offices. 

Here are some modifications and optimizations buildings can adapt to prevent another pandemic in the future:  

Promote High-quality Indoor Air  

Buildings and commercial establishments should promote high-quality indoor air quality and follow a set of standards that focuses on the ventilation and air-conditioning system. This effectively provides clean air into the building and to the office spaces. Research suggests that filtration of recirculated air may be effective in reducing the transmission of airborne infectious diseases. Filters remove dust, vapors, bacteria, and fungi, and also effectively capture viral particles spread by droplet nuclei.  

RELATED: How Green Buildings improve indoor air quality, provide a healthier working environment  

Increased Ventilation  

Ventilating with outdoor air also plays a vital role in diluting airborne contaminants and decreasing disease transmission rates within establishments. According to studies, increasing the ventilation rate can effectively reduce the cross-infection of airborne transmitted diseases by removing or diluting pathogen-laden airborne droplet nuclei. It can dilute the contaminated air inside the space more rapidly and decrease the risk of cross-infection  

Maintained Optimal Humidity  

Evidence suggests that viruses survive better in low-humidity environments. One optimization buildings can implement after the pandemic is to increase humidity via heating and ventilation systems and maintain an optimal range to 40 to 60%. This can also be achieved by installing humidifiers inside the building premises.  

Improved cleaning and maintenance protocols  

Another aspect that buildings can focus on when optimizing for disease prevention is highlighting the importance of its property management teams. Workplace policies, guidelines, and protocols must also be restructured to adapt to the “new normal” as the world observe changes this pandemic brings. The modifications and strict enforcement of these procedures should be one of the most essential responsibilities of a building’s property management team during, and even after the crisis.  

A healthy building contributes to a healthy community, which, in the long run, play a central role in creating a healthy world. In addition to everyday precautions taken by individuals and employees, the real estate industry, building owners, and developers should be aware of these optimizations that can greatly contribute to virus outbreaks in the future. 

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How LEED Certification can help Prevent Disease Spread in the Future

The current pandemic has brought a 180-degree change in the way people live and work. Some of these changes may be temporary, but some might be permanent adjustments that will help in preventing another outbreak or at least improve the community’s preparation for one.   

Due to COVID-19, buildings will give more emphasis to the health and wellness of their tenants. While other offices will only start implementing such changes to adapt, commercial establishments that were already certified by programs such as LEED have long been uplifting the quality of the work environment and promoting the health and well-being of their tenants—amid a pandemic or not. 

Here are some ways LEED certification can help prevent diseases in the future:  

LEED-certified buildings, like JEG Tower, were designed, constructed, and operates to high standards that prioritize the health of its tenants. Green buildings regulate water quality, air quality, and antibacterial functions to promote their occupants’ health and reduce the risks of getting diseases and viruses.   

RELATED: How Green Buildings improve indoor air quality, provide healthier working environment  

The LEED certification also ensures these buildings have increased ventilation which also improves the health and wellbeing of the tenants and drastically improves their work performance.  

In addition to providing the basic functions, LEED-certified buildings also reduce the risk of infection and prevent cross-infection inside the workplace. The US Green Building Council (USGBC) requires establishments to include measures that will control the collusion of air and pollutants, exhaust backflow of bathrooms, Green buildings are designed to set up effective water seals to reduce the risk of virus transmission through drainage pipes. Under the LEED certification, buildings should optimize the space and plane layout to enhance the effectiveness of natural ventilation. They should also be able to regulate and control air conditioning systems by zones and have a well-designed site wind environment for the dissipation of viruses and harmful gases. 

Moreover, LEED ensures that the cleanliness of the environment is greatly prioritized. Strengthened cleaning policies are followed using sustainable and safe cleaning products. Proper waste management is also observed, which plays a big role in disease prevention.  

Following the ‘People’ aspect of the triple bottom line of LEED, (People, Planet, Profit), certified buildings ensure that they are safe and healthy environment for their occupants.  

The vaccine against the new coronavirus is yet to be developed, which means the best protection one can have against it depends on the body’s immunity and the community’s cleanliness. 

RELATED: Promoting Health and Well-being in the Workplace  

Promoting physical activity among building tenants while creating a safe and welcoming environment is the top priority of LEED-certified green buildings. These goals help in ensuring that building occupants are healthy year-round, not just during a global pandemic.  

The current COVID-19 outbreak is reemphasizing the importance of prioritizing one’s health and proper hygiene. It also reminds how easily diseases can spread in the workplace. Office buildings can either help in its prevention or aid its spread and proliferation. Building certification programs such as LEED recognize the importance of certain aspects of building design and maintenance that play an important role in disease spread and prevention of outbreaks in the future. 

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Top Property Management Guidelines to Observe during the COVID-19 Pandemic in the Philippines

One of the key tasks of a property management team is to be prepared and protect their tenants in the event of a health crisis. The COVID-19 pandemic has not only tested the existing protocols and guidelines of commercial and residential establishments, but it has also redefined some of the ways real estate developers and companies weigh the importance of the health, well-being, and safety of their occupiers.  

Experts say that a holistic approach is needed to battle and contain the coronavirus. More than self-isolation and staying at home, community-level measures should also be implemented, which can be more effective in fighting the spread of the virus.  

1. Limit movement  

The enhanced community quarantine was implemented to limit movement and effectively decrease the rate of the spread of the virus. Moreover, it is important to declare all recent travel for respective self-quarantine measures and contact tracing purposes.  

The Property Management Team of Tomodachi Premium Residences has encouraged its residents to declare any recent travels-domestic or international, to aid in the efforts of controlling the exposure of others with the virus. Residents are also being encouraged to stay indoors and limit their movement outside the premises. Moreover, residents are also asked to refrain from inviting guests and visitors following the community quarantine. Social gatherings are also prohibited until the ECQ has been lifted.  

2. Close all common areas  

To stop the spread of the virus and limit interaction, properties are advised to close down all common areas that are accessible to their tenants such as gyms, function rooms, roof decks, etc.   

Tomodachi Premium Residences has advised its residents that the pool area will be closed as a measure and reminder for them to remain indoors.  

3. Postpone renovation and repair  

All the renovation inside homes and units should be prohibited in the meantime. Emergency repairs that can potentially harm the residents or damage the property should be reported to the management of the property.  

4. Be up to date with verified and relevant news  

JEG Development Corporation ensures that the tenants in our existing properties are safe and protected against COVID-19. Its Property Management Team is in full alert to assess the situation and follow news developments about the virus that will help fight its spread in our communities.  

5. Communicate and coordinate with your Landlord   

During a crisis, it is important to keep the communication lines open between you and your landlord. Now more than ever, staying connected is crucial in overcoming such an event. The management may offer initiatives that can help you during the crisis and provide additional measures for your convenience. Some may even offer rent concessions as a consideration and help with what is currently happening.  

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Cebu scholar develops COVID-19 contract tracing app

The local government and the whole community of Cebu City come together to fight the spread of COVID-19 within the city and in the whole region. Mayor Edgardo Labella announced that they are ready for mass testing after acquiring 30,000 test kits. 

According to his press conference, 20,000 kits were handed over to the Cebu City Health Department (CCHD) and to the Cebu City Medical Center (CCMC), while the remaining 10,000 test kits were donated to the Department of Health in Central Visayas (DOH-7). 

As of April 14, Cebu City has recorded 31 COVID-19 positive patients. Mayor Labella said that they expect this number to rise once they begin with the mass testing. DOH has reported six new cases today after a few days streak of no positive cases. 

More than the implementation of enhanced community lockdowns and the establishment of isolation facilities, Governor Gwendolyn Garcia endorsed a mobile application that aims to control the spread of the virus via contact tracing. Through an executive order, Garcia required every Cebuano to download and install WeTrace, an app that would expedite contact tracing for persons infected with the coronavirus disease. 

“The WeTrace app has been developed to accurately trace and monitor, with utmost privacy and confidentiality, persons living in the Province of Cebu who have Severe Acute Respiratory Infections, Influenza-Like Illnesses or have been classified as Persons Under Monitoring or those symptomatic of the COVID-19,” the EO read. 

WeTrace supports a “report” feature wherein the public can disclose information given the chance that they have interacted with a COVID-19 positive patient, or those persons under investigation (PUI) and monitoring (PUM). It will prompt them to input their full name, contact information and details of their report. 

The app was developed by a homegrown talent, a Cebuano scholar of the Department of Science and Technology. This project was initiated right after the spread of the virus in the country was first reported. 

Technology photo created by nensuria – www.freepik.com

Apart from its report feature, WeTrace will also serve as a database and valid source of information of the Department of Health for statistics. The government unit can also release and disseminate information and health tips through the app.