The Department of Health (DOH) on Tuesday, April 30, announced that it has collaborated with the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) to launch new toolkits that aim to address environmental health, mental health, substance use, and workplace safety.
DOH and DOLE unveiled the “Healthy Workplace Toolkits” on April 29 to mark the celebration of World Day for Safety and Health.
Developed with support from the International Labour Organization's (ILO) “Bringing Back Jobs Safely” project and the United States Agency for International Development's (USAID) “Renew Health” project, DOH said the toolkits address environmental health, mental health and substance use, and violence and injury prevention in the workplace.
Health Secretary Teodoro Herbosa stressed the significance of prioritizing Filipino workers' health and safety, stating they are crucial to the nation's economic growth.
“I am optimistic that this joint initiative for healthy workplaces will help establishments build a future where Filipino workers can thrive in a changing climate,” Herbosa added in a separate statement of support.
Meanwhile, the theme, "Ensuring Safety and Health at Work in a Changing Climate," highlighted the escalating risks posed by climate change on workplace safety.
Civil Service Commission (CSC) Assistant Commissioner Nerissa Balisi-Canguilan affirmed the Commission's commitment to fostering a public sector workplace that prioritizes workers' well-being, especially amidst the threat of Covid-19.
Moreover, DOLE Occupational Safety and Health Center (OSHC) Executive Director Jose Maria Batino pointed out the importance of the National Policy Framework on the promotion of a healthy workplace.
He recalled the three agencies' vision of collaborative efforts between workers and managers to create workplaces that safeguard and enhance workers’ health, safety, and well-being.
The DOH said that the event saw the participation of various officials from different sectors, including representatives from the Federation of Free Workers, Employers Confederation of the Philippines, and the ILO Country Office in the Philippines, demonstrating support for the annual celebration.