DAVAO CITY—The Department of Labor and Employment in the Davao Region successfully facilitated a meeting on occupational safety and health (OSH) for the Intergovernmental Coordination and Cooperation Committee (IGC3).
The meeting discussed implementing a system to share information, recognize key challenges, collaboratively create safer workplace strategies, and implement preemptive workplace evaluations.
OIC Assistant Regional Director lawyer Connie Beb A. Torralba began the meeting by highlighting the necessity of working closely with government agencies and local authorities to guarantee strict adherence to Section 31 of Republic Act No. 11058 on Occupational Safety and Health (OSH) standards.
An additional presentation concerning Department Order No. 244-24 was provided. Assistant Labor Inspector (ALI) Engineer John Carl L. Esguerra, discussed the importance of Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Councils (DRRMCs) in the list of DOLE-accredited first aid training providers, increasing community access to first aid and disaster readiness.
Representatives from different agencies were given a chance to share their insights on the violations they have encountered within their respective agencies and collaboratively sought effective remedies.
One of the immediate responses to the challenges that the local government units faced is to create a dedicated Viber Group Chat to streamline communication on OSH matters.
This initiative seeks to enhance communication, streamline coordination within the agencies, provide up-to-date information, and increase the efficiency of collaboration among government agencies and health organizations, ultimately creating a more synchronized and effective approach to OSH issues.
The meeting was participated by 11 government offices in Davao Region; Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), Department of Energy (DOE), Department of Agriculture (DA), Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG), Department of Health (DOH), Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT), Philippine National Police (PNP), City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (CDRRMO), City Mayor’s Office, and Office of Civil Defense (OCD).
TSSD Head Paul V. Cruz concluded the meeting, reaffirming that DOLE in Davao Region is dedicated to workplace safety and the importance of continued inter-agency collaboration. (Irish Ligtas with reports from DOLE Davao Region)
