DOLE launches Cagayan Valley OSH network

by Oliver T. Baccay

Tuguegarao City (23 July) — The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) Region 2 has launched the Cagayan Valley Occupational Safety and Health Network (CV-OSHNet) and presented its officers who will be carrying the network’s mandates for the workers of Region 2.

The CV-OSH Net is the regional network that would respond to the occupational safety and health concerns of all workers in different sectors in the region.

Dr. Ma. Beatriz Villanueva, Chief-Health Control Division, OSH Center, DOLE Central Office, said OSH networking is an effecting mechanism in order to reach out to more workplaces in the implementation of OSH quality programs and to address the large deficit in OSH protection of millions of workers in their respective workplaces.

Villanueva said the network is focused on addressing the problems within the workplaces of workers which will contribute more to productivity and profitability.

In the region, several sectors from the private and government have already joined the network. Majority of its members came from private big companies who have employed hundreds of employees. Some government line agencies that has vital role in the implementation of laws and policies for the safety of the workers were also tapped to join the network.

To effectively operate the network, DOLE spearheaded the conduct of election of officers wherein Engr. Eusebio A. Timario, Jr, Superintendent of Petron Depot Aparri, was elected as the network president, Ms. Hildegarda Hipolito- Regional Governor of the League of Government Nurses of the Philippines as Vice President, Ms. Sheryl-Lenn Galas of the Coca-Coca Bottlers Philippines Inc. – Secretary, Ms. Eunice Acosta of Cagayan Economic Zone Authority- Treasurer and Mr. Oliver T. Baccay- Journalist from the Philippine Information Agency was the Press Relation Officer.

Mr. Timario said the network has already conducted construction safety training for construction workers last June 7-11 and the second training on OSH appreciation will be conducted on August 17, 2010 at Hotel Ivory, Tuguegarao City.

Timario has also encouraged representatives of other sectors, line agencies and LGUs to join in the said training to capacitate them to ensure that their workplaces are safe in the pursuit of zero accident program of the OSH Center. (PIA 2)