TABUK CITY, Kalinga – The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE)-Kalinga has urged employers, particularly owners of micro and small enterprises, to actively participate in government-led training programs to ensure compliance with labor laws and occupational safety standards, saying these initiatives protect both workers and businesses.
The call was made by Leonardo Dugel, Senior Labor and Employment Officer of DOLE-Kalinga on July 10, 2026, during the conduct of the Technical and Advisory Visit (TAV) and the Basic Occupational Safety and Health (BOSH) Safety Officer 1 (SO1) Training at the Conference Hall of the Provincial Capitol, which was attended by 44 participants in Kalinga.
“Nu adda ti invitation ti office, DOLE ken dadduma pay nga ahensya ti gobyerno ket atendara tayu kuma dagitoy nga activities ket i-ensure mi nga makatulong kanyayo tapno agbalin tayo nga compliant nu anya man iti kasapulan nga pagkomplyan tayo ta daytoy ket para iti pagsayaatan ti negosyo ken pagsayaatan iti empleyado,” Dugel said.
Helping businesses comply with labor and safety laws
According to Dugel, the primary objective of the program is to help micro and small enterprises comply with the country's General Labor Standards and the Occupational Safety and Health (OSH) Law, while fostering safer and healthier workplaces.
General Labor Standards refer to the minimum employment benefits guaranteed under the Labor Code of the Philippines, including the minimum wage, payment of wages, hours of work, overtime pay, holiday pay, service incentive leave, 13th-month pay, and other mandatory employee benefits.
The program also reinforces compliance with Republic Act No. 11058, or the Occupational Safety and Health Law, which requires employers to maintain workplaces free from hazardous conditions, implement occupational safety and health programs, provide appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE), and ensure that workers receive proper safety training.
Training, not just inspection
Dugel explained that the Technical and Advisory Visit (TAV) is more than a compliance inspection.
Instead, it serves as a guidance program where labor inspectors provide technical assistance, answer employers' questions regarding labor regulations, and recommend corrective measures whenever deficiencies are identified.
Meanwhile, the 44 participants who attended the Basic Occupational Safety and Health (BOSH) Safety Officer 1 Training underwent lectures and practical sessions on workplace hazard identification, emergency preparedness, occupational safety regulations, and basic first aid, equipping them with the knowledge and skills needed to prevent workplace accidents and respond effectively to emergencies.
The annual activity forms part of DOLE's continuing campaign to reach more micro and small enterprises across Kalinga, recognizing that these businesses make up a significant portion of the province's economy.
DOLE-Kalinga expressed hope that through continuous training and stronger compliance with labor and occupational safety laws, more employers will view workplace safety not merely as a legal requirement but as an investment in protecting workers, improving productivity, and building sustainable businesses throughout the province.
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