Happy Labor Day 2020

In these challenging times, we are truly grateful for the dedication and sacrifices of our labor force in Western Visayas, specifically our frontliners.

We deeply thank the employers and workers for their assistance in the campaign on the adoption of safe and healthy practices and the role that occupational safety and health (OSH) services play. We also wish to thank our partners, specifically the LGUs, OSHNets, STOs, and OSH Champions, for their active support and participation in all OSH-related endeavors in the locality. // MM

OSHC orients on safety standards during the DOLE-LHP in Iloilo & Capiz

The Occupational Safety and Health Center (OSHC) conducted an orientation on the key points of the OSH standards during the seminar on labor relation, human relation, and productivity (LHP) of the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) - Regional Office 6 in Iloilo and Capiz last Mar. 14 & 17, 2017.

The seminar is DOLE’s contribution in the labor education and advocacy aspect to address the challenge of business competitiveness in the workplace. It is a one-day course for employees, supervisors/employers or mixed employees and employers/supervisors. 

Melveen Melocoton, OSHC-REU6 Administrative Officer, emphasized that in order to attain good relationships and better productivity, organizations must safeguard the safety and health of its workers. It is through a company's strong OSH policies and OSH committee that industrial peace and productivity can be fully achieved.

"The OSHC is willing to provide technical assistance and capacity building activities to align company OSH policies with the OSH Standards."

Schedules on training like the 40-hours mandated Basic Occupational Safety and Health (BOSH) and the Construction Occupational Safety and Health (COSH) are conducted monthly in Iloilo City and Bacolod City to cater the demands of companies in acquiring competent safety officers.

The OSHC will improve its collaboration with the DOLE-RO6 to further strengthen OSH policies and programs, provide quality OSH services, and expand linkages with stakeholders that support the zero accident (ZAP) program in the region. // MM

Melveen Melocoton of OSHC-REU6 conducting the OSH orientation to 46-attendees
during the LHP Seminar at EON Centennial Resorts Hotel and Waterpark, Jaro, Iloilo City.

Melveen Melocoton of OSHC-REU6 conducting the OSH orientation to 50-attendees
during the LHP Seminar at MVW Tourist Inn & Restaurant, Roxas City, Capiz.

SMB in Region 6, Labor Laws Compliant Establishment

The DOLE Family in Western Visayas once again, participated in the witnessing of the unveiling ceremony of another branch of SMB Brewery, Inc. wherein SMB Panay Provinces Beer Region & Western Visayas Metro Beer Region declared their establishment as a Labor Laws Compliant Establishment.

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.