DOLE trains micro-establishments in Surigao Sur on basic life support
By Nida Grace P. Barcena
CAGWAIT, Surigao del Sur (PIA) — In support of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr’s vision of “Bagong Pilipinas,” the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) in Surigao del Sur spearheaded a two-day Basic Life Support (BLS) Training for 28 micro-establishments in the municipality.
In partnership with the local government unit (LGU) of Cagwait through its Public Employment Service Office (PESO) and Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (MDRRMC), the initiative equipped small business owners and workers with essential life-saving and emergency response skills, including cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), wound care, and first aid procedures, while promoting compliance with workplace safety standards under the Occupational Safety and Health Standards (OSHS) and Republic Act No. 11058.
“This program contributes to the national goal of fostering a productive, protected, and prepared workforce, key to achieving inclusive and sustainable development,” DOLE Provincial Head Genebelle Bal said.
Leading the opening activity, Mayor Glenn Go Batiancila, expressed full support for the initiative, underscoring that readiness and volunteerism are vital in fostering community resilience.
“Volunteerism, readiness, and training are not just responsibilities, they are essential elements in building a resilient and safe Cagwait. I commend DOLE and our local agencies for making this training possible,” said Mayor Batiancila.
Under the supervision of MDRRM Officer Nerissa T. Plaza, the training combined classroom instruction with practical simulations. Participants engaged in hands-on exercises using training mannequins and first aid kits, enhancing both confidence and competence in responding to emergencies.
For many participants, it was their first formal training in life-saving techniques, an empowering experience that strengthened their sense of responsibility in the workplace.
‘It was our first time learning how to properly perform CPR. Now, we feel more confident that we can help if someone collapses at work,” the participants shared as they continued to gain valuable knowledge and hands-on experience throughout the training.
The 28
micro-establishments involved in the activity were previously identified
through DOLE’s Technical and Advisory Visits (TAVs) and are now taking
proactive steps to address compliance gaps in occupational safety and health
standards.
This joint effort underscores the shared commitment of DOLE and LGU Cagwait to nurture safe, healthy, and disaster-ready workplaces, demonstrating that even small enterprises play a vital role in achieving national resilience and economic inclusivity.
As local businesses grow stronger and more aware of their role in disaster preparedness, Cagwait emerges as a model of community empowerment and local collaboration, where safety, livelihood, and people development go hand in hand toward a truly resilient Bagong Pilipinas. (NGPB, PIA Surigao del Sur with a report from DOLE–Surigao del Sur Field Office)
