Statement of Senator Joel Villanueva, chair of the Senate Committee on Labor, Employment and Human Resources Development, on the Hearing on Occupational Safety and Health Standards (OSHS) law or Republic Act No. 11058

After hearing our resource persons today, one thing remains clear. We need to raise the awareness of all stakeholders on Occupational Safety and Health. We need to work on cultivating a culture of safety in the workplace, regardless of the industry and regardless of the status of employment and engagement. We need to become proactive in developing a safe working environment.

Huwag na po sana natin balewalain ang mga maliliit na bagay na maaaring magdulot ng kapahamakan sa ating kapwa.

We hope that this hearing marks the start of the closer coordination between the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), the movie and television industry and all other industries. We can all honor the memory of Mr. Eddie Garcia by making a specific, industry-based set of OSHS guidelines so that these kinds of accidents won't happen again in the future.

We likewise call on the DOLE to regularly submit to our committee a report on the progress of the implementation of the OSHS law.

Maraming salamat po at mapagpalang hapon sa ating lahat.