Construction safety training for DPWH engineers ongoing

A total of (50) DPWH engineers from various districts of Western Visayas completed the 40-hours Construction Occupational Safety and Health Training last August 1-5, at the HRT Service Center, ISAT U, La Paz, Iloilo City. They were the first batch among four batches that will take part in the activity. 

The training included the mandated course design prescribed by the OSHC and additional topics on the General Labor Standards (GLS), Rules on Implementing Articles 106 to 109 of the Labor Code on the Contracting and Sub-Contracting Arrangements and Labor Laws Compliance System (LLCS). The specialized course was in order to enhance the knowledge and to increase the awareness and compliance to Department Oder No. 13 series of 1998 which requires every construction project to have a suitable Construction Safety and Health Program.

Salome O. Siaton, OIC-Regional Director of DOLE-RO6, welcomed the participants and thanked the partners for their undying advocacy towards the achievement of zero accidents in the region. She reiterated that both the public and private are covered by the Standards. “We have to work together to make Region-6 a safe and healthy workplace,” she said.

The training was conducted by the Occupational Safety and Health Center (OSHC), in collaboration with the Department of Labor and Employment – Regional Office 6 (DOLE-RO6), and Western Visayas Occupational Safety and Health Network, Inc. (WVOSHNET).

Salome O. Siaton, DOLE OIC-Regional Director, welcoming the participants and shared her insights and experiences.

Stephene S. Barredo, ECC-Representative, discussing workers' compensations under the ECP. 

Carmela M. Abellar, OIC-TSSD, discussing the general labor standards.

Participants evaluating the safety and health situation of a construction site.

Expanding ZAP in big enterprises

As a strategy to expand the zero accident program (ZAP) of OSHC in the big enterprises, an occupational safety and health (OSH) orientation was conducted last Jan. 15, at the training room of SM City Iloilo. It was a collaborative activity with the Department of Labor and Employment Regional Office 6 (DOLE-RO6), and the Employees' Compensation Commission Regional Extension Unit No. 6 (ECC-REU6).

The activity was attended by a total of 24 workers, a mix of managers and rank & file employees from various departments and franchises of SM. They were all oriented on topics including OSH situationer, unsafe and unhealthy acts & conditions in the workplace, OSH legislation & administration, and the employees' compensation program.

Engr. Bladamir M. Pantillo from DOLE-RO6, asserted the importance of safety and health in every workplace. He said that an accident is the worst thing that can happen to a worker and the whole company. It is bad for business wherein it results to poor performance, poor productivity, and a bad reputation for the company, he added.

While employees can gain something once they become victims of work-related accidents, still the costs for promotion of a safe and healthy workplace is more budget-friendly than accidents, said Mr. Stephene Barredo from ECC.

Some employees expressed their sentiments regarding the new information that they have learned from the activity. Furthermore, during the workshop, some revealed actual situations that were happening in their workplaces such as the presence of pests due to poor housekeeping in the warehouses and musculo-skeletal problems due to poor ergonomic practices.

Before the end of the orientation, Nrs. Melveen Melocoton from the OSHC turned over some information, education & communication (IEC) materials to the workers in order to enhance the advocacy of OSH in the company.

Balladares, a champion on OSH in Region 6

Ruge Pisueña Balladares, 2015 President of the Safety Organization of Negros Occidental (SONO), Inc., was one of the guests during the Morning Chow of ABS-CBN, yesterday.

He was interviewed regarding the background and mission of the organization. Also, he announced to the public the conduct of the Construction Safety Training in partnership with the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) Region 6 and Occupational Safety and Health Center (OSHC) Regional Extension Unit No.6.

As an Occupational Safety and Health (OSH) Practitioner, accredited by DOLE Region VI, he champions the advocacy of OSH and the commitment towards the safety and health of workers wherever he goes.

As SONO President, he excelled in the leadership and management of his organization which resulted to the increased conduct of safety and health training schedules in Negros Occidental and advocacy activities on occupational safety and health. During his leadership, the activation of the Junior SONO (J-SONO), a group of students who also allies in the cause for a safe and healthy workplace, was done to enhance the eyes, hands and voices of the organization.

Mr. Balladares, continues to be an asset in the mission towards establishing a culture on OSH in the region.

Mr. Ruge P. Balladares (front), together with Engr. Bernard Gasendo (left side), being interviewed by the host.

Officers of SONO, Inc.

Social Protection in Poverty Reduction

Poverty remains to plague the Philippines that is rich in material, cultural, and educational resources. It exists where unemployment and underemployment rest in its core. To survive, labor is principally the only aid, especially for the poor, vulnerable and marginalized sectors.

As sustainable employment is one of the best routes out of poverty, national coalition in designing and implementing strategies and programs for social protection providing income security can contribute to the objective of poverty reduction in situations of low income and high unemployment and underemployment.

Most people think the solution to poverty is more aid and charitable giving? But those are only short term stock-out solutions. If we care about them then we must seek out ways of creating security that will safeguard their lives and futures. With social protection, especially income protection, people will be financially well, they are assured economically, thus they're motivated. Their standard of living will go up, they will be able to fund high quality education for their children, and be able to gain access to better health care. Furthermore, they will be able to dream and make their dream a reality.

Society that the economy represents will benefit from this endeavor. The result will fuel the engine towards poverty reduction and improved quality of life. What about tomorrow? What about the next generation that is coming from them? Through social protection, economic growth will surface thus creating sustainable opportunities for people. At first we ask, “How can the poor, vulnerable and marginalized be assured of a bright tomorrow?” Then suddenly they are on a trajectory towards quality living.