OSHC supports a safe and healthy Brigada Eskwela 2017

DOLE-NIR ARD Atty. Jason Balais, together with
Melveen Melocoton from OSHC-REU6,
Engr. Bernardo Gasendo & Cecille Nunez from SONO,
and personnel from each adopted school,
during the turnover of paint cans.

The Occupational Safety and Health Center-Regional Extension Unit No.6 (OSHC-REU6), in collaboration with the Safety Organization of Negros Occidental (SONO), and Department of Labor and Employment-Negros Island Region (DOLE-NIR), supported the launching of the 2017 Brigada Eskwela with the theme: “Isang DepEd, Isang Pamayanan, Isang Bayanihan Para sa Handa at Ligtas na Paaralan.” The activity was done last May 15, 2017, at the DOLE-Sugar Workers Development Center, Cottage Road, Bacolod City.

"A safe and healthy jumpstart is the key towards a successful program implementation of the Brigada Eskwela," said Engr. Bernardo M. Gasendo, SONO President. The SONO, together with its social partners, will capacitate the education sector in the development of an OSH climate resulting to the empowerment of its workers and future labor force.

Also, as part of their corporate social responsibility, they turned over 28-gallons of paint to (5) adopted schools, namely:

1. Bacolod City National High School
2. Luis Hervias National High School
3. Antonio L. Jayme Elementary School
4. Lopez Jaena Elementary School
5. Granada Elementary School

On the other hand, the OSHC-REU6 provided the SONO with the modules and IEC materials needed for the conduct of awareness activities during the Brigada Eskwela to strengthen the interest and engagement of the education sector on occupational safety and health.

"We will continue to expand our advocacy and partnerships on occupational safety and health towards the direction of establishing a zero accident climate in the education sector," said Melveen Melocoton, OSHC-REU6 Administrative Officer.

Through our endeavors, more and more personnel in the education sector attend the mandated OSH-training and become safety officers of their respective institutions, he added.

The Brigada Eskwela is the National Schools’ Maintenance Week that aims to bring together all education stakeholders to participate and contribute their time, effort and resources to prepare public school facilities ready for the opening of the School Year in June. // MM

OSHC trains safety officers for construction projects in Bacolod City

DOLE-NIR OIC-Asst. Regional Director Atty. Jason P. Balais,
welcomed the participants during the COSH for safety officers.

The OSHC-REU6, in partnership with DOLE-NIR and the SONO, Inc., is currently conducting the 40-hours Construction Occupational Safety and Health (COSH) training for safety officers from April 24-28, 2017, at the SWDC Bldg., DOLE, Bacolod City. A total of 33-participants consisting of 27-companies were present since the start of the training.

The training was organized due to the fast growing of construction activities and the demand for certified safety officers in the region pursuance to the DOLE Department Order 131-13 on labor laws compliance system.

At the kick-start of the training, DOLE-NIR OIC-Asst. Regional Director, Atty. Jason P. Balais, welcomed the participants and thanked the facilitators for the active support and dedication on OSH in the region which is a vital element towards inclusive growth.

Information so far discussed where the global and local setting of OSH, safe/unsafe acts and conditions in the workplace, OSH situations in construction site premises. In the later days, OSH legislation governing the construction industry, the employees’ compensation program, among others.

Ruge P. Balladares facilitating the topic on
unsafe/ unhealthy acts and conditions.

The OSHC makes the region “visible” by reaching out to stakeholders that are in parallel with the objectives of the zero accident program. Construction firms covered by the Standards, are capacitated through the mandated training to provide champions on OSH in all construction projects of the region resulting in a better work environment, better labor relations, and better productivity.

We will continue to work hand-in-hand with our partners to ensure that all workers are informed, capacitated, and technically assisted in all matters on safety and health, said Melveen M. Melocoton, administrative officer of OSHC-REU6. // MM

Kick Start of Construction Safety and Health Training in Bacolod

OIC-Regional Director Cyril L. Ticao
giving his welcome address.

A total of 48 participants attended the DOLE-mandated construction safety and health training for CY2017. It was conducted by the Occupational Safety and Health Center (OSHC) in cooperation with the Department of Labor and Employment - Negros Island Region (DOLE-NIR), and the Safety Organization of Negros Occidental, Incorporated (SONO, Inc.) last February 20-24, at the Sugar Workers Development Center, Cottage Rd., Bacolod City.

DOLE-NIR OIC-Regional Director Cyril L. Ticao, welcomed the participants and thanked the facilitators for their full support in the capacity building of safety officers in the region. "Don't take the training for granted. We will assist you in very step of the way to keep our workers safe and healthy. You will be the contact of DOLE in partnership for the promotion of the welfare, protection, and promotion of the people," he said.

Participants having their workshop.

OSHC-REU6 Administrative Officer, Melveen Melocoton, restated that the training is a basic requirement towards a career in occupational safety and health for safety officers. Afterward, the participants should do their best to acquire the credentials required to level up in becoming DOLE-accredited OSH practitioners and later on as OSH consultants.

"We will enhance our collaboration with the DOLE-NIR and the SONO, Inc. to further schedule more training in the region. One of them is the ergonomics training which will be conducted by the OSHC on Mar. 1-2, at Bacolod Pavillon Hotel," he added.

Site visit activity

During the training, the participants visited (2) on-going construction sites from Almana Construction Development Corporation and J. Santos Construction Inc. to provide an actual situation of unsafe conditions, hazards and good points on OSH by each contractor. Then, the consolidated report on assessments and recommendations will be given to the contractors to serve as free safety and health audit of their projects.

With the training of more competent safety officers in the region, the attainment of a healthy, well-protected working population in the region is at hand.//MM

OSHC attests creation of NIR Regional OSHNet

The Regional Occupational Safety and Health Network was formed last Aug. 6, 2016, at the Manhattan Suites Inn, Dumaguete City. The momentous event was attended by representatives from the Occupational Safety and Health Center (OSHC), Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), OSHNet Negros Oriental, Inc. (OSHNet NegOr., Inc.), and the Safety Organization of Negros Occidental, Inc. (SONO, Inc.).

The feat was done to promote the creation and solidarity among occupational safety and health organizations in both oriental and occidental parts of Negros Island. It will also improve the facilitation of OSH activities and enforcement in the region.

Ms. Agnes N. Capigon, DOLE TSSD-Chief of NIR, explained the need for its creation due to numerous OSH-related activities awaiting the region, especially the hosting of the Annual Visayas-Wide OSH Summit. Thus, DOLE facilitated the election where OSHNet NegOr., Inc. and SONO, Inc. nominated and voted for the regional OSHNet board of directors which resulted to Mr. Ruge P. Balladares of SONO, Inc., as its first president.

“We are very enthusiastic to collaborate with the Regional OSHNet in all its future OSH advocacies to enhance the advocacy of zero accident program (ZAP) in NIR,” said Mr. Melveen Melocoton, OSHC representative.

Ms. Agnes N. Capigon, DOLE-NIR TSSD Chief, reiterated Administrative Order No. 53 related to the creation, facilitation and monitoring of the OSHNet.

Melveen M. Melocoton, OSHC-Representative, with the SONO, Inc. 

Engr. Renato S. Infante, OSHNet NegOr., Inc. President, enumerated the agenda of the coordination meeting.

Hernani A. Lopez, SONO, Inc. President, shared the organization's annual activities for 2016.

The newly formed NIR Regional OSHNet.

First Batch of Trained Safety Officers for 2016

The first batch of safety officers blustered proudly their certificates of completion after they successfully finished the 40-hours mandated BOSH training in partnership with DOLE and SONO, Inc.

The training was conducted last Mar. 14-18, 2016. And, good new for those who were not able to join the first BOSH in Bacolod City for this year, another BOSH training will be conducted on April 25-29, 2016 at the Planta Hotel and Residences.

BOSH in Bacolod Invitation Letter to Participants & Program Schedule (Apr. 25-29, 2016)

Yes to OSH in Negros, the war against accidents in the construction industry

In order to address the need for more competent safety officers in Negros Occidental, the Occupational Safety and Health Center (OSHC) in partnership with the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) and Safety Organization of Negros Occidental, Inc., conducted the construction safety training (CST) in Bacolod City, last Sept. 28 - Oct. 2, 2015.

The CST was attended by a total of 37-participants from various industries such as the construction industry, manufacturing industry, among others. It is a 40-hours (5-days) worth of training on topics including introduction to safety and health, occupational safety, environmental safety, occupational health, and responses to occupational safety and health (OSH)  issues and challenges.

Cyril L. Ticao, Assistant Regional Director of the DOLE Region 6, welcomed the participants and thanked the OSHC and SONO, Inc., for the strong partnership in promoting occupational safety and health (OSH) in Negros Occidental.

Dyan Grace A. Mayang, a compensation and benefits officer of FocusDirect, Inc., was asked regarding her reason for attending the training. She replied, "In order to learn more information regarding safety practices in the workplace." The training provided me with knowledge and skills  in identifying hazardous practices that can be applied at home as well, she added.

On the other hand, Anthony G. Altarejos, a nurse by profession and safety officer of The Doctors' Hospital, Inc in Bacolod, said that as a nurse without engineering academics and hands-on experience in the construction industry, the training contributed much to his knowledge and awareness on safety. Hence, he will be able to pursue safety programs that can benefit not only the employees but also his patients.

Rhoel S. Historia, environmental, safety & health (ESH) coordinator of Panay Electric Development Corp. - 3, stated that the training can provide compliance and maturity of safety culture in his company.

We can help anybody by sharing the knowledge we learned by making them aware of the hazards in all kinds of work. Also, we educate the people to avoid such hazards that can harm o deter them from working on a productive aspect, said Carlo Doniel Labis of Meilleur Manpower Services.

With the vigorous commitment of OSHC, DOLE, and SONO in the creation of safe and healthy workplaces in the region, more upcoming activities on safety and health are anticipated. Because, it is more fun in a safe and healthy region.

Cyril l. Ticao, ARD of DOLE-Region 6, giving the welcome address.

Ruge P. Balladares, SONO President, discussing the topic on unsafe/unhealthy acts and conditions in the workplace.

Class pictoral.

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.