07/08/2026
๐๐๐๐, ๐๐ง๐ญ๐๐ซ-๐๐ ๐๐ง๐๐ฒ ๐๐๐ซ๐ญ๐ง๐๐ซ๐ฌ ๐๐ซ๐๐ง๐ฌ๐๐จ๐ซ๐ฆ ๐๐จ๐ง๐ฌ๐ญ๐ซ๐ฎ๐๐ญ๐ข๐จ๐ง ๐๐ข๐ญ๐ ๐๐ง๐ฌ๐ฉ๐๐๐ญ๐ข๐จ๐ง ๐ข๐ง๐ญ๐จ ๐๐ก๐จ๐ฐ๐๐๐ฌ๐ ๐จ๐ ๐๐จ๐ซ๐ค๐๐ซ ๐๐ซ๐จ๐ญ๐๐๐ญ๐ข๐จ๐ง ๐ข๐ง ๐๐๐ฆ๐๐ซ๐ข๐ง๐๐ฌ ๐๐จ๐ซ๐ญ๐
๐ณ๐จ๐ฉ๐ถ, ๐ช๐จ๐ด๐จ๐น๐ฐ๐ต๐ฌ๐บ ๐ต๐ถ๐น๐ป๐ฌ - In line with the vision of Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) Secretary Francis N. Tolentino and DOLE Bicol Officer-in-Charge Regional Director Atty. Nepomuceno A. Leaรฑo II to transform construction site inspections into a multi-agency compliance showcase, the DOLE Camarines Norte Provincial Office (CNPO), through its Provincial Inter-Agency partners, successfully conducted the High Impact, High Visibility Inspection and Monitoring (HIHVIM) at the New Government Center Project of the Local Government Unit of Labo, Camarines Norte, undertaken by First Quantum ID Builders Corporation, on August 6, 2026.
Anchored on the theme "Building Compliance, Protecting Workers," the initiative demonstrated the government's unified commitment to ensuring safe, healthy, and decent workplaces by bringing together national government agencies, the local government, employers, and workers under one coordinated compliance effort.
Participating in the inspection were representatives from the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP), Social Security System (SSS), Home Development Mutual Fund (Pag-IBIG Fund), Philippine Information Agency (PIA), Local Government Unit of Labo through the Municipal Engineering Office and Office of the Building Official (MEO/OBO), and the Public Employment Service Office (PESO). Their collective participation highlighted the Department's continuing efforts to strengthen partnership, shared accountability, and proactive compliance in the construction industry.
The activity was also graced by the project owner, the Local Government Unit of Labo, headed by Municipal Mayor Hon. Severino H. Francisco Jr., who commended the Department for institutionalizing a collaborative approach to labor law enforcement.
According to Mayor Francisco, the initiative reflects the government's strong commitment to protecting workers and promoting safer construction workplaces.
"Maituturing ko po na isang development ito para sa industriya ng construction na isinusulong ng Department of Labor and Employment sapagkat ito ay tutugon sa hamon na tiyaking ligtas ang bawat manggagawa. At maging pangunahing interes ay ang buhay at kaligtasan; pangalawa ang mga benepisyo na dapat nilang matanggap. Sinisiguro po namin na makakaasa kayo na ang aming tanggapan ay bukas sa anumang tulong na kakailanganin ng ating mga ahensiya at ng industriya."
DOLE Camarines Norte Provincial Head Mr. Edwardo Pedro V. Caรฑo, together with the DOLE Labor Inspection Team, provided participating agencies, employers, contractors, and workers with an overview of the HIHVIM, its objectives, and the inspection procedures. He emphasized that occupational safety and health can only be effectively achieved when government, employers, and workers collectively embrace it as a shared responsibility.
In his message, Mr. Caรฑo underscored that the government's inter-agency collaboration goes beyond enforcing labor standards it seeks to ensure that every worker returns home safely at the end of each workday.
"Ang primordial objective ng High Impact, High Visibility Inspection and Monitoring (HIHVIM) ay hindi lamang tiyakin ang tamang pasahod, kundi higit sa lahat ang kaligtasan ng ating mga manggagawa. Kasama ang mga National Government Agencies at ang Lokal na Pamahalaan, nais naming ipakita na ang inyong pamahalaan ay nagkakaisa at patuloy na nagtatrabaho para sa kapakanan ng bawat manggagawa."
Following the orientation, the member-agencies, together with the designated Safety Officers of the contractor, conducted a comprehensive ocular inspection covering active work areas, welfare facilities, and the temporary living accommodations of workers. The inspection assessed compliance with labor standards, occupational safety and health requirements, and social protection laws while providing technical guidance to encourage voluntary and sustained compliance.
Simultaneously, the SSS and Pag-IBIG Fund conducted onsite membership registration and updating services for construction workers. Existing members were assisted in updating their records, while 23 workers were successfully issued their membership identification numbers, enabling them to access social security and housing benefits.
At the conclusion of the inspection, each participating agency presented its observations, findings, and recommendations. The contractor likewise committed to implement the required corrective measures within the compliance timelines prescribed by the Department, reinforcing the HIHVIM's facilitative approach of promoting continuous improvement rather than merely identifying deficiencies.
Recognizing that sustainable compliance requires long-term institutional support, DOLE likewise proposed two strategic initiatives to strengthen labor law enforcement in the construction sector.
The first initiative seeks to establish a structured and sustainable network of Occupational Safety and Health (OSH) Patrollers at the barangay level. These trained community-based volunteers will serve as the first line of observation, reporting, and advocacy for workplace safety, enabling hazards and compliance concerns to be identified and addressed at the grassroots level.
The second initiative aims to integrate labor standards and occupational safety and health compliance into business licensing and permit renewal processes, thereby institutionalizing compliance monitoring within the local regulatory system. By embedding labor law compliance into routine business governance, the initiative seeks to promote continuous adherence to labor and OSH standards while strengthening accountability among establishments.
For many workers, the activity provided a deeper understanding of their rights and the government's commitment to their welfare.
Mr. Reynold B. Paya, a 25-year-old welder, expressed his appreciation for the initiative, saying:
"Nagpapasalamat po kami sa programang hatid ng DOLE at ng iba pang ahensiya. Nalaman po namin ang aming mga karapatan bilang manggagawa sa construction. Higit po pala sa mga benepisyo, tungkulin ng aming employer na tiyaking ligtas kami habang nagtatrabaho. Saklaw pala ito ng batas at mayroon din kaming proteksiyon sakaling kami ay magkasakit o maaksidente sa pamamagitan ng aming enrolment sa SSS at Pag-IBIG."
Prior to the rollout, the DOLE Camarines Norte Provincial Office convened the Provincial Inter-Agency partners on August 4, 2026, to ensure the successful implementation of the HIHVIM. The meeting focused on the Labor Inspection Program, the HIHVIM framework for the construction sector, the review of relevant labor and occupational safety and health issuances, and the formulation of a coordinated action plan among participating agencies.
Through the High Impact, High Visibility Inspection and Monitoring, DOLE Camarines Norte reaffirmed its commitment to transforming labor inspection into a collaborative governance platform where enforcement is complemented by education, partnership, and social protection. By bringing government agencies, local government units, employers, and workers together in one coordinated undertaking, the Department continues to advance its vision of building a culture of compliance that safeguards workers, strengthens responsible enterprises, and promotes safer, healthier, and more productive workplaces across the construction industry.
