The OSHC-Regional Extension Unit No. 6 conducted an OSH orientation and risk assessment workshop for the program administrators and abaca farmers' representatives under the supervision of the Antique Development Foundation (ADF), at the ADF conference room, Atabay, San Jose, Antique.
The Antique Development Foundation (ADF), a non-government organization in partnership with Care Philippines, has been implementing the Typhoon Haiyan Reconstruction Assistance (THRA) Project that supports the economic reconstruction of people affected by Typhoon Haiyan in four (4) focus municipalities of Culasi, Tibiao, Barbaza, and Laua-an. The project expanded to additional 10 municipalities in the Province of Antique for the implementation of Household Level Abaca Plantation. It focuses on Abaca Value Chain that intends to establish sustainable and resilient livelihood activities involving the most vulnerable households.
"We are currently working to improve the farming practices, management systems, and farmer knowledge which in turn will contribute to farm productivity, livelihood resiliency of farmers and their families, among others," said ADF Executive Director Rhoda E. Pon-an.
We are also aiming for the sustainability certification of abaca under the Sustainable Agriculture Network (SAN) - Rainforest Alliance Certification System. And, one of the fundamental principles for the certification is occupational safety and health, she added.
Melveen M. Melocoton, OSHC-REU6 officer-in-charge, discussed the facts and figures related to agriculture both in the global and local setting. Also, he discussed the risk assessment approach in order to jump-start the establishment of an OSH system in their entire Abaca Value Chain. The attendees identified hazards up to its control measures according to the production, processing, and marketing of the abaca fibers for endorsement and evaluation.
Conclusively, the need for the program administrators and farmers' association representatives to undergo a 40-hours basic occupational safety and health (BOSH) training for safety officers was considered so that there will be competent persons who can facilitate in the establishment of an OSH system for the Abaca Value Chain and assure its implementation and sustainability.// MM
