ZAMBOANGA CITY— The Department of Labor and Employment endeavors to protect workers and promote their welfare through various programs and services one of which is through Labor Inspection.

As DOLE exercises its visitorial and enforcement powers under the Labor Code, Labor Inspectors are deployed to secure a higher level of compliance with labor laws and standards as well as ensure continuity and sustainability of compliance at workplaces.

The Regional Offices, through the Labor Inspectors, enforce labor laws and social legislation through the conduct of Routine Inspection, Complaint Inspection and Occupational Safety and Health Investigation in private establishments thus exposing them to environmental hazards and other risks.

Regional Director Ofelia B. Domingo said that DOLE 9 is taking necessary steps not only to ensure proper implementation of the labor inspection program but also the protection of inspectors on the ground.

On March 5, 2020, DOLE 9 thru its newly created Nursing Service Unit (NSU), initiated a partnership with the Department of Health IX (DOH 9) for the administration of free Hepatitis B vaccines to thirty-three (33) Labor Inspectors from all over Zamboanga Peninsula as part of its Occupational Safety and Health program.

The said vaccine is to add a layer of protection to Labor Inspectors in the conduct of their duty specially when inside hospitals and other medical facilities. NSU is set to propose series of vaccination activities for its office and field workers to protect them from work-related contingencies.

The Nursing Service Unit was created to champion the Occupational Safety and Health Programs for the Department of Labor and Employment 9. It is also responsible for manning its newly created DOLE 9 Clinic and Lactation Room. NSU is directly under the supervision of the Office of the Regional Director and is composed of (Unit Head) Jerrick Gerard C. Go, Senior LEO, Ma. Joy Reneeli C. Espinosa, Senior LEO, Ma. Corazon Fatima P. Fallorin, RN, LEO III and Mark B. Madarang, RN,  Administrative Officer II.

END/kcgrafia with reports from Jerrick Gerard C. Go, NSU Head