Gov’t agencies, stakeholders in Caraga Region to
ink agreement promoting local seafarers’ welfare
By Robert E. Roperos
BUTUAN CITY, July 29 (PIA) -- Government
agencies and stakeholders in Caraga Region are set to sign a memorandum of
agreement (MOA) to promote the welfare of the local seafarers.
In a statement, Department of Labor and
Employment (DOLE)-Caraga Regional Director Ofelia Domingo said the activity
will be presented and consequently signed during the Forum on the Working
Conditions of Filipino Seafarers in the Domestic Shipping Industry on Monday,
July 30, 2012.
Dir. Domingo also said the MOA will showcase the
concerted effort of the various agencies and private companies including local
organizations on the implementation, monitoring and regulation of pertinent
laws on the local seafarers.
The region’s labor chief added this developed
after the Labor and Employment Plan 2011-2016 has identified the Maritime
Labour Convention 2006 as one of the priorities for ratification as it is a
landmark international convention that would promote the rights of millions of
Filipino workers.
Under the agreement, DOLE-Caraga shall promote
and enforce the rights of the local seafarers in accordance to the provisions
of the Labor Code of the Philippines, strictly implement its visitorial powers
through a joint inspection with other agencies of the government concerned with
the domestic shipping lines, encourage formation of harbor or seafarers
organization that would promote the well-being of local or domestic seafarers,
as well as extend other assistance that are deemed necessary.
For the part of the Maritime Industry Authority
(MARINA), they are tasked to include in its regulation and monitoring the
compliance of domestic shipping lines to wage standardization and occupational
safety and health, spearhead joint inspection of the domestic fleet, as well as
extend other assistance.
The Philippine Ports Authority (PPA) shall also
promote stringent implementation of the health and fitness requirements of the
local seafarers, conduct joint inspection with other agencies of the government,
as well as extend other necessary assistance.
Further, the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) shall
ensure the safety and security of the local seafarers plying along the coast of
the Philippine sea against piracy and effectively enforce maritime laws on smuggling,
illegal fishing, drug trafficking, among others.
The Philippine Information Agency (PIA), on the
other hand, shall include in the agency’s annual communications plan the
tri-media information dissemination campaign of the rights, privileges and
concerns of local seafarers including but not limited to wage standardization
and occupational safety and health in the domestic shipping lines.
Also, the local government of Surigao City shall
initiate, conduct and sponsor orientations and/or seminars on the minimum
requirements of the Labor Code as well as the Occupational Safety and Health
Standards to domestic chipping companies, regularly call for a joint inspection
to domestic shipping lines on compliance to labor, safety and health and other
regulatory requirements relative to the shipping industry.
Meanwhile, the provincial government of Surigao
del Norte shall encourage all government entities including local government
units – cities, municipalities within the province to initiate, conduct and
sponsor orientations and seminars on the minimum requirements of the Labor Code
as well as the Occupational Safety and Health Standards to domestic shipping
companies, regularly call for a joint inspection to domestic shipping lines on
compliance to labor, safety and health and other regulatory requirements
relative to the shipping industry.
Mining companies such as the Chamber of
Mines-Caraga, shall sponsor orientations and seminars on the minimum
requirements of the Labor Code and the Occupational Safety and Health Standards
to the partner and/or employed domestic shipping lines of the mining companies.
Also, the Taganito Mining Corporation, Pacific
Nickel Philippines Inc., and Cagdianao Mining Corporation, shall make it their
company policy to drop from their rolls of employees and/or partners those
domestic shipping lines that are not cognizant of the minimum requirements of
the Labor Code and Occupational Safety and Health Standards.
On the other hand, the Surigao Motorboat
Operators Association (SMOA) shall champion the rights of the local seafarers
and strictly abide with the provisions of the Labor Code and the Occupational
Safety and Health Standards. (RER/PIA-Caraga)
Caraga disaster council conducts advocacy on
disaster preparedness, climate change adaptation
BUTUAN CITY, July 29 (PIA) -- The Regional
Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council conducted an advocacy on
disaster risk reduction and climate change adaptation in Barangay Masao in
Butuan City on July 25.
The activities conducted are in line with the
annual observance of the National Disaster Consciousness Month.
A coastal cleanup in Barangay Masao which
started at 6 a.m. opened the day-long event participated by around 600
individual from government agencies in the region, local government units,
police and military men, rescue teams and academe.
Simultaneously conducted were dental services
facilitated by Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council
-Agusan del Norte through Agusan del Norte Emergency and Response Team
(ADNERT), medical mission led by CDRRMC-Butuan through the City Health Office
and the bloodletting activity spearheaded by the Philippine National Red
Cross-Agusan del Norte Chapter.
The Office of Civil Defense also distributed
hygiene kits to children aged 2-5 years old. Elementary students were handed
information, education and campaign materials on disaster preparedness. Audio
visual presentation on disaster risk reduction and climate change adaptation
were also played.
Hon. Bernardo A. Perez, Punong Barangay and
Chairperson of the Barangay Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Committee of
Brgy. Masao heartily expressed his gratitude all who came into their barangay.
“Kami dinhi na lumulupyo sa Masao, dako ug
kinasing-kasing kaayo ang pasalamat sa Office of Civil Defense sa pagpili sa
amuang lugar isip recipient sa kani na adbokasiya. Ug sa tanang ahensya na nia
karon, kami usab nagapasalamat kanila (We, the residents of Brgy. Masao extend
our heartfelt thanks to the Office of Civil Defense for choosing us to be the
recipients of this advocacy campaign. To all agencies who are here today,
accept our deepest gratitude),” Perez said.
The event was attended by the RDRRMC Chairperson
and OCD Regional Director Dr. Blanche T. Gobenciong and the RDRRMC Vice
Chairperson for Disaster Prepardness and DILG Regional Director Lilibeth A.
Famacion and Vice Chairperson for Rehabilitation and Recovery and NEDA Regional
Director Carmencita S. Cochingco.
“We in the government can only advise the
populace but the actions that lead to protection must be one that all of us
will undertake to do for ourselves, our family and our community. We cannot
stop a disaster but we can be better prepared for its onslaught,” Director
Famacion said.
Director Cochingco also highlighted that the
activity revolved on educating and empowering people to become part of
sustainable development. She also emphasized that all of us have sense of
responsibility to our environment; that just by doing the proper waste disposal
and segregation, we are saving Mother Nature.
Dr. Gobenciong emphasized that disaster
preparedness can save lives.
“It is our responsibility to take every
necessary precautions to ensure that disasters, whether they come or not, they
pass without undue loss of life, human suffering and damage to property. These
are all our responsibilities as we are guided by the principles and ideas
embodying the disaster risk reduction and management system,” she said.
“After all, it was not raining when Noah built
the ark. We are urging everyone to always take precautionary measures against
disasters. And there are no disasters, only opportunities,” Director Gobenciong
added.
Also in the event were PSSupt Mario Soriano, the
Deputy Director for Administration, Police Regional Office 13, PNP and Dr.
Virgilio G. Nery, City Councilor of Butuan. (OCD-13/PIA-Caraga)
