Strengthening workplace safety and emergency preparedness among quarry workers, the Provincial Government of South Cotabato, through the Office of the Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Officer Mines and Geosciences Division (OPENRO MGD), successfully concluded a two day Standard First Aid Training for Quarry Operations in partnership with the Local Government Unit of Surallah and the Upper Valley Quarry Association.
According to Siegfred Flaviano, Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Officer, the activity underscores the provincial government’s continuing efforts to ensure that quarry operations remain both productive and safe for workers and surrounding communities.
“Ensuring the safety of workers in quarry operations remains a shared responsibility. Through this training, we are equipping designated first aiders with the knowledge, skills, and confidence needed to respond effectively during emergencies. This initiative strengthens our commitment to protecting lives while promoting safer, responsible, and disaster ready quarry operations in South Cotabato,” Flaviano said.
Held at the Municipal Gymnasium of Surallah, the training is equipped with designated first aiders from various quarry operation sites with essential emergency response skills aimed at improving preparedness and reducing risks in workplace incidents.
The initiative supports the continuing commitment of Governor Reynaldo S. Tamayo Jr. to responsive, and people centered governance by ensuring that workers, particularly those in high risk industries, are provided with proper knowledge and practical skills that can help save lives during emergencies.
The second day of the activity focused on hands on emergency response exercises that allowed participants to strengthen their practical competencies in handling real life emergency situations within quarry sites. Participants underwent demonstrations and return demonstrations on bandaging and splinting, proper transfer of injured individuals, and simulation exercises or SIMEX designed to test response readiness and teamwork.
By investing in emergency preparedness, the provincial government aims to strengthen safety practices in quarry operations while reinforcing the importance of immediate and proper intervention during accidents to prevent further injuries and protect lives.
The successful conduct of the activity was made possible through the support and collaboration of the Bureau of Fire Protection, Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office, LGU Surallah, and the Upper Valley Quarry Association, whose collective efforts contributed to advancing workplace safety and emergency preparedness in the province.
As South Cotabato continues to prioritize accessible public service and community welfare, programs focused on safety education and disaster preparedness remain essential in building resilient communities and ensuring sustainable development across industries.
