LEGAZPI CITY (PIA) — As the safety officer and human resource manager of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) in the Bicol region, Ivy Llabore prioritizes the health and safety of DENR employees.
During the regional launch of the national government’s Healthy Workplace Program (HWP) on August 16, she expressed optimism about enhancing the wellness programs, particularly in safety measures.
“We believe that if our employees are safe and healthy, our clients will become satisfied because of better performance outputs. We also would like to better the establishment of our employees’ welfare programs aside from integrating spiritual and financial approaches. We want to identify more physical risks in our infrastructures, especially when employees travel during fieldwork,” Llabore said.
Health and workplace safety officers, medical workers, and human resource focal persons from both public and private offices in Bicol gathered in Legazpi City for the regional launch of the Department of Health (DOH) Bicol Center for Health Development’s (CHD) program.
The launch marked the beginning of the implementation of Joint Administrative Orders including the National Occupational Health and Safety Policy Framework and the National Policy Framework on the Promotion of Healthy Workplace.
These frameworks were developed by the DOH, Department of Labor and Employment, and the Civil Service Commission.
These aimed to foster workplace occupational health and safety by creating effective strategies and interventions.
DOH Bicol CHD Regional Director Rodolfo Antonio Albornoz led the ceremonial signing to intensify partnerships, support, and commitment among heads of national government agencies.
Dr. Monrey Isaiah Mancilla, head of the CHD Health Promotion Unit, oversaw the distribution of healthcare weighing scales and blood pressure monitors to NGAs, as a measure to provide assistance to the public labor force.
John Ray Cano, one of the leaders at Toyota Camarines Sur, stated that their employees, including mechanics, engineers, and agents, are the assets of their company. Therefore, improving and enhancing the workplace for their protection is our top priority in participating in this activity.
Meanwhile, all participating agencies were provided with a tool called “Formalizing the Intention Tool,” which documents the collaboration of management and workers to promote a culture of prevention in the workplace, according to standards set by the joint order.
This tool includes statements of commitments to be signed by the heads of offices and workers’ representatives.
It also includes provisions for relevant capacity-building, life skills activities, and relevant health information to support priority areas and adopting best practices for continuous improvement of individual health-seeking behavior.
“We are very grateful that private and public agencies have come together to support this program. Without their combined efforts, we would not be aware of the health and safety measures that we need to implement for our employees. Without this knowledge and experience, they might not perform well,” Llabore said, expressing her hope for the full and proper implementation of this program in their department. (PIA5/KAB)
