Davao City – With the aim of fully implementing safety and health standards at work, the Association of Safety Practitioners of the Phils., Inc.  (ASPPI) in coordination with the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) Regional Office No. XI recently conducted a safety symposium and general assembly for its members and accredited partners at the D’Leonor Hotel,  Bajada, Davao City on August 3, 2012.

As reported by Regional Director Joffrey M. Suyao to Honorable Secretary Rosalinda Dimapilis-Baldoz, 55 safety officers and safety practitioners attended and shared experiences in the discussion of safety practices.

Incumbent President Engr. Claro Landeta of the Philippine Long Distance Telephone Company oriented the participants on ASPPI and invited them to be a part of the organization.  He emphasized the objectives of maintaining a safe and healthy work environment and strengthening camaraderie and unity among DOLE-Bureau of Working Conditions (BWC) accredited professionals.

Engr. Yolibelle S. Aviñante, Senior Labor and Employment Officer and the Technical Adviser of DOLE XI safety and health programs gave updates on the latest general labor standards and occupational safety and health standards issuances.  She encouraged all qualified participants to join in the upcoming National Occupational Safety and Health Convention and the Asia Pacific Occupational Safety and Health Organzation and ASPPI 14^th Convention in October and  September 2012 respectively.

“These undertakings will make all of you gain additional knowledge and upgrade yourselves on all the OSH standards, codes, rules/regulations and programs to globally competitive levels in conjunction with the National Government and other related agencies”.  Aviñante said.

During the activity, the following safety practitioners were awarded certificates of accreditation: 1) Engr. Arturo Ramon Allado  Jr. of Allado Construction 2) Engr. Ivy Ares of NCCC and 3) Engr. Diosdado Gonzales of Davao Light and Power Company.

International best safety practices were also presented.  The hazard prediction in Japan which drew attention of the participants was discussed by Engr. Dondon Landeta. A simple workshop was done to demonstrate actual actions that were peculiar and remarkable while Engr. Aviñante shared the topic on the Risk Assessment in Korea which equally tickled the attention of the group.

Another highlight of the activity was the election of the new set of officers for 2012-2014. They are as follows: President: Richard Wong, Vice President – Internal : Earl James Logarta,  Vice President-External: Manny Capili, Secretary: Cherryday  Derecho, Asst. Secretary: May Ivy Ares, Treasurer: Kieshler Pascual, Asst. Treasurer: Danilo Buendia, PRO; Florentino Babilia, Auditor: Dimson Cambangay, Board of Directors: William Donayre, Claro Landeta, Larry Carmen, Eusebio Actuv Jr., Diosdado Gonzales, and Larry Aquino.

“This is a challenge for me and the rest of the newly elected officers of ASPPI for 2012-2014.  We will try our best to exceed, if not equal the efforts and accomplishments of the previous 6fficers of this organization”.  Wong said. He thanked everyone for the confidence bestowed upon him to to lead and run the ASPPI Davao Chapter for the next 2 years.