Iloilo is pilot area for farmer's occupational health and safety
The Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) has identified the province of Iloilo as pilot area for its new program on occupational health and safety for farmers living in Agrarian Reform Communities (ARCs) in sugarcane areas.
The program, dubbed Occupational Safety and Health Work Improvement in Neighborhood Development (OSH-WIND) primarily aims to give importance to the health and safety of farmers.
The other objectives of the program are: to teach farmers simple, practical and economical means of being productive; to inculcate change among farmers' way of life that will lead them to be more safe and healthy; and to make farmers aware of the importance of sharing with their fellow farmers in their community the various lessons learned and the experiences in integrating the program in their farming activities and eventually help them maintain a better quality life.
DAR-Iloilo Provincial Agrarian Reform Officer II Ricardo Fernandez said OSH-WIND will perk up the awareness of the farmers on how to reduce and even avoid or prevent the risks and hazards brought about by the improper way of farming activities, both in the farm and in their households.
"Through OSH-WIND our farmers will be more safe and healthy, and by being safe and healthy, they will be more productive," said Fernandez.
Aside from Iloilo, the program will also be piloted in three other areas in the country that include Quezon Province for coconut areas, Davao for bananas and Isabela for rice.
Fernandez said farmers in ARCs in the municipalities of San Enrique and Passi City, identified as sugarcane areas in the province are among the initial beneficiaries of the program.
In this program, the DAR, being the lead agency in the implementation of the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program (CARP) in partnership with the International Labour Organization and Occupational Health Center (OSHC) provides the groundwork for mobilizing Agrarian Reform Beneficiaries in building a culture of safety and health wellness to further sustain the productivity of the ARCs that benefits our farmers and will help address the country's food security needs.
(PIA)