TAGBILARAN, City – Forty participants composed of agricultural engineers, agricultural technicians, faculty members, Agricultural and Fishery Mechanization (AFMECH) focal and operators, coming from different LGUs, academe, institutions, attached agencies, DA-RFO in Region 7 (Cebu, Bohol, Negros Oriental and Siquijor) attended the three (3) day training course on Occupational Health and Safety in the Workplace (OSH) held last October 24-26, this year at Dao Diamond Hotel and Restaurant, Dao District, this city.
The said training aims to capacitate the participants who will be effective partners in developing and/or mechanizing the agriculture and fishery sectors to be healthy, safe and responsible citizenry especially among the farming families. The expected output of the training is for the participants to make use of their learnings for the maintenance and promotion of workers’ health and working capacity.
Participants are also expected to apply given principles to improve working environment and for work to be conducive to safety and health, and consider the development of work organizations and working cultures in a direction which supports health and safety at work.
Resource speakers were Engr. Gines P. Timosa from office of the Occupational Health and Safety of the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) Region 7, while Ms. Charlene S. Parafina and Dr. Ma. Beatriz G. Villanueva of OSH Central Office Manila and Engr. Rizaldy Mercadal of ATI-7 facilitated the training.
“There’s a realization of the importance of OSH which is very necessary to be implemented and practiced in all workplaces. Though life’s greatest wealth is health, we need to address all the time the phrase ‘safety first’. Health and safety of people, equipment and material, and environment should be harmonious. Neglecting one of these may lead to unsuccessful operation. If given the chance to be part of the Admin, I would give OSH utmost importance,” said Ms. Yvonne P. Elizalde, a participant from Cebu Technological University, Barili Campus, Barili, Cebu.