Communicating the theme, "Safety and Health in the use of Chemicals at Work", the Department of Labor and Employment Regional Office -9 (DOLE RO-9) in partnership with the Zamboanga Peninsula Occupational Safety and Health Network Inc. (ZamPen OSHNet, Inc.) rendered their utmost enthusiasm to conduct series of caravan in connection to the worldwide celebration of the "World's day for Safety and Health at Work", pursuant to Department Order 44-33 (D.O. 44-33). The region-wide activities were held at April 21, 24, and 25, 2014 at Dipolog and Pagadian Cities, and in the Municipality of Ipil, Zamboanga Sibugay.

This OSH Orientation caravan is not the first in the region, as the same was conducted last April 22-26, 2013. However, this year, it was initiated with the inclusion of the informal sector workers, consistent to the commitment of the DOLE RO-9 Regional Director Sisinio B. Cano, during his participation in the Productivity Training held at Nanyang Polytechnic Institute in Singapore, in pursuit of his advocacy to capacitate the DOLE implementers and partners in the field of safety and health to effectively and efficiently deliver appropriate services to the target clients particularly on advocacy and information dissemination of occupational safety and health.

In Pagadian City, the team, composed of Engr. Aris H. Tugahan of DOLE, Engr. Cedric D. Ticobay of the ZamPen OSHNet together with OIC- Assistant Regional Director Albert E. Gutib, and Employees Compensation Commission Information Officer Cerna I. Ahmad, imparted and discussed comprehensively the objectives of the caravan to Fourty-seven (47) employees of ZAMSURECO I at the Heroes Hall, Pagadian City last April 21, 2014. In the message of the DOLE- Zamboanga del Sur Chief Lourdes B. Amores, she stressed, "the knowledge you are about to learn from this orientation is worth life- securing, of your colleagues, family, as well as of your community".

In Dipolog City, the team, composed of Engr. Eliezer G. Cabatingan, Engr. Cedric D. Ticobay of ZamPen OSHNet, and Rose I. Amsid of the Regional Tripartite Wages and Productivity Board (RTWPB) imparted the OSH and the basic concepts in productivity to 33 participants coming from the formal and informal sectors. The activity was held at Top Plaza Hotel last April 24, 2014. In the message of the Ms. Aileen Mondejar, OIC of Zamboanga del Norte Field Office, she called the workers to be proactive, because OSH principles applied in the workplace will serve as the line of defense against Occupational-related accidents.

Meanwhile, in Ipil, Zamboanga Sibugay, the activity was held at Roderick's Resort last April 25, 2014. The team inspired the 77 participants with the enhanced set of topics purposely made for informal sector workers. The participants from rubber cooperatives, beneficiaries of DOLE Integrated Livelihood Program (DILP), and individuals who received Kabuhayan Starter Kits (KSK), revealed great interests on the aspect of Material/ Chemical Handling. During the open forum, the participants claimed that they have the courage and strength to handle such materials, but their knowledge as to the proper handling of these chemicals is very limited.

With great enthusiasm, the team ended the activity with a message, "we will propagate OSH awareness, and let it grow by doing what is right." A strong statement that capped the mind of every participant, with the teams' effort on delivering goods- from there on the participants wishes to have this kind of activity exclusively.

Gay Iris T.S. Tangcalagan, DOLE RO-9