Labor summit in Gensan to highlight occupational safety, health

By Danilo E. Doguiles

Monday 5th of November 2012

KORONADAL CITY, South Cotabato, Nov. 5 (PIA) -- Safety and health of workers will take center stage in a a gathering slated on November 21 – 22 in General Santos City.

Jimmy Tolimao, president of the Occupational Safety and Health Network (OSHNet)-12, said the 4th Mindanao Occupational Safety and Health Summit that will be held at the KCC Convention Center is geared toward improving the OHS landscape in the entire island of Mindanao.

“The summit aims to promote and sustain excellence in the implementation of safety and health programs and strengthen and forge new connectivity among OSH practitioners, advocates, the government sector and other stakeholders, as well as uphold the government mandate on zero accident in workplaces.,” Tolimao said.

Best practices on OSH, trends, issues and concerns as well as initiatives implemented will be presented at the biennial gathering of workers, managers, industry leaders, academicians, government officials, services and products providers and other stakeholders.

Several special plenary sessions will promote OHS in green economy, decent work agenda, disaster management and emergency preparedness and health promotion.

Specific topics at the plenary on decent work agenda include improving OSH through decent work, women workers and gender issues, and improving productivity as well as safety in construction and OHS in shipyards and fishing industries.

Meanwhile, promotion of green economy will focus on energy conservation programs in manufacturing industry, waste management in mining industry and emission reduction in transportation and communication industry.

Final plenary session on the second day will deal on integrating health promotion into workplace OHS policies, best practices in agriculture industry and hearing-conservation program.

Along with the discussions, occupational safety and health products and services will also be featured in exhibits and displays.

For the event, OSHNet 12 has partnered with Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE 12) and the DOLE offices in Zamboanga Peninsula, Northern Mindanao, Davao and Caraga Regions as well as the Occupational Safety Center, and the Association of the Safety Practitioners of the Philippines Inc.

Labor and employment Secretary Rosalinda Baldoz is expected to address the participants during the opening ceremonies.

The summit centers on the theme: OSH Redefines Excellence, Mindanao Pushes Forward.”
(DEDoguiles-PIA 12)