Various national government agencies in the region are informed about key strategies and assessment mechanisms aimed at fostering healthy workplaces during the ‘Healthy Workplace Deep Dive’ activity led by the DOH-CHDNM on February 28. (Photo: GDA/PIA-10)
CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY, Northern Mindanao (PIA) — The Department of Health-Center for Health Development Northern Mindanao (DOH-CHDNM) convened national government agencies (NGAs) in the region on Feb. 28 for the “Healthy Workplace Deep Dive” activity, aimed at discussing and formulating strategies to foster healthier and safer work environments.x
Dr. Primia O. Rias, cluster head of the Health and Education Promotion Unit at DOH-CHDNM, emphasized that living and working conditions are key factors influencing health outcomes and overall well-being. These factors are recognized as “social determinants” of health.
In response, the DOH-CHDNM has implemented Administrative Order 2021-0063, also known as the Health Promotion Framework Strategy 2030. Rias said this framework provides guidance on the development and implementation of health promotion policies, programs and activities from 2021 to 2030.
The framework aligns with the National Policy Framework on the Promotion of Healthy Workplaces and Republic Act (RA) No. 11223, or the Universal Health Care Act, which supports health programs through a Health Promotion Bureau.
“One strategy is to ensure all Filipinos are health literate, settings are health-enabling, and public policies are supportive and protective of health. In creating such an environment, naa tay gitarget nga (we are targeting) healthy communities, healthy schools, and of course, healthy workplaces,” Rias explained.
During the activity, human resource officers and administrative personnel from the participating government agencies were introduced to the four “FIT” Tools, designed to assess and monitor workplace health initiatives in key areas such as diet, exercise, substance use, mental health, sexual and reproductive health, and injury prevention. These tools also help agencies identify and address health gaps within their work environments.
Currently, 20 NGAs have completed the FIT Tool 2, a self-assessment questionnaire that helps agencies identify actionable health improvements in their workplaces.
Health Program Officer Jean Paul M. Paje noted that the use of these tools plays a vital role in supporting the certification of government offices as “Healthy Workplaces.”
The DOH targets certifying 2,310 government offices and agencies as “Healthy Workplaces” by 2027 to 2028. In northern Mindanao, DOH-CHDNM aims to certify 65 local and national government offices by 2025. (GDA/PIA-10)
