08/07/2026
๐๐ฏ๐๐ซ ๐๐๐ ๐ฐ๐จ๐ซ๐ค๐๐ซ๐ฌ ๐ข๐ง ๐ญ๐ก๐ ๐ก๐จ๐ฌ๐ฉ๐ข๐ญ๐๐ฅ๐ข๐ญ๐ฒ, ๐๐จ๐จ๐ ๐ฌ๐๐ซ๐ฏ๐ข๐๐ ๐ข๐ง๐๐ฎ๐ฌ๐ญ๐ซ๐ฒ ๐ฌ๐ญ๐ซ๐๐ง๐ ๐ญ๐ก๐๐ง ๐๐๐ฉ๐๐๐ข๐ญ๐ฒ ๐จ๐ง ๐ฌ๐๐๐๐ญ๐ฒ ๐ฉ๐ซ๐๐๐ญ๐ข๐๐๐ฌ ๐๐ง๐ ๐ฅ๐๐๐จ๐ซ ๐ฌ๐ญ๐๐ง๐๐๐ซ๐๐ฌ
๐ฝ๐๐๐ค๐ก ๐๐๐๐๐ค๐ฃ โ A total of 142 workers and industry representatives from the hospitality and food service sector participated in the learning session โSafe Hands, Safe Minds, Safe Spaces: Promoting Health, Dignity, and Wellbeing in Hospitality and Food Service Workplaces,โ conducted across several provinces in the Bicol Region, in support of Labor Secretary Francis E. Tolentinoโs push for safer and more worker-responsive workplaces.
Implemented by the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) Bicol, through its provincial offices in Albay, Catanduanes, Camarines Norte, and Camarines Sur throughout June and early July, the activity equipped workers and employers with practical knowledge and enhanced awareness of key workplace concerns affecting workers and establishments in the hospitality and food service sector.
The training featured the importance of basic first aid skills and emergency preparedness to promote safer workplaces and strengthen occupational safety and health practices. Participants were introduced to essential first aid principles and practical measures that can help minimize risks, prevent injuries from escalating, and strengthen overall workplace safety.
OIC Regional Director Atty. Nepomuceno A. Leaรฑo II, CPA, stressed the importance of addressing knowledge gaps as a prerequisite to compliance with labor and workplace standards.
โBefore we expect compliance, we need to determine whether there are gaps in awareness and understanding. People cannot be expected to comply with rules they do not fully know or understand. While compliance remains the responsibility of both employers and workers, it is equally important to equip them with the information and guidance necessary to meet these obligations,โ OIC RD Atty. Leaรฑo II said.
Participants also received orientation on workplace mental health that encourages the participants to practice a supportive and stigma-free work environments. Discussions covered psychosocial hazards, mental health awareness, and the importance of integrating mental health initiatives into workplace safety and health programs in accordance with existing laws and policies.
To reinforce workplace dignity and respect, participants were oriented on ILO Convention 190, Republic Act No. 7877 or the Anti-Sexual Harassment Act, and Republic Act No. 11313 or the Safe Spaces Act. The discussions examined the rights and responsibilities of employers and workers in preventing and addressing sexual harassment, gender-based harassment, and other forms of inappropriate conduct in the workplace.
The session likewise explored occupational risks commonly encountered in hospitality and food service establishments, including psychosocial risks associated with customer-facing and service-oriented work environments.
Camarines Norte Provincial Head Eduardo Pedro V. Caรฑo highlighted the role of capacity-building initiatives in developing a culture of voluntary compliance.
โDOLEโs approach is not solely regulatory. While we continue to enforce labor laws and standards, we also pursue developmental interventions that help employers and workers better understand their rights, responsibilities, and obligations under labor laws. Through learning sessions such as this, we promote informed and voluntary compliance,โ Chief Caรฑo said.
Ms. Lo**ta Mandac, one of the participants from Albay, expressed her appreciation for the training and noted the practical application that she was able to cascade in their workplace.
โAll topics are very useful, timely, and relevant to the situation. The seminar is very helpful because everything I learned I was able to share with my employees, especially on how to give first aid,โ Lo**ta shared.
Beyond enhancing workplace knowledge, the activity also served as a platform for promoting greater awareness and compliance with labor and occupational safety standards. [END] CMS/JVEG
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