Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello III. ROBINSON NIÑAL JR./Presidential Photo
The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) said most of the pyrotechnic manufacturers and sellers in Bulacan have passed occupational safety and health standards following a series of inspections done by the agency.
In a statement on Saturday, the DOLE said 61 of the 67 establishments inspected in Bocaue, Bulacan were compliant with the prescribed safety standards.
This was according to a report from the DOLE’s Central Luzon regional office, which covered the country’s fireworks capital.
The inspections were ordered by Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello III in order to monitor the establishments’ compliance with occupational safety and health standards.
In particular, the inspections focused on establishments engaged in the manufacture of pyrotechnics and firecrackers as the country readies for the New Year celebrations.
The DOLE noted that there were 152 pyrotechnic establishments in Bocaue and Sta. Maria, Bulacan.
Bello ordered labor laws compliance officers (LLCOs) to assist establishments in correcting safety and health deficiencies.
In cases of refusal to comply, LLCOs were authorized to investigate violations pursuant to the DOLE department order on the revised rules on the administration and enforcement of labor laws.
Some non-compliant establishments were allowed to correct their deficiencies, such as having more than two sellers and the use of stores as sleeping quarters.
The Bureau of Working Conditions will be consolidating the list of monitored and assisted pyrotechnic establishments across the country once it receives reports from other DOLE regional offices. /jpv
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