𝐄𝐦𝐩𝐨𝐰𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐒𝐚𝐟𝐞𝐭𝐲 𝐢𝐧 𝐄𝐝𝐮𝐜𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧: 𝐖𝐌𝐒𝐔 𝐇𝐨𝐧𝐨𝐫𝐞𝐝 𝐚𝐬 𝐚𝐧 𝐎𝐮𝐭𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐧𝐝𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐎𝐫𝐠𝐚𝐧𝐢𝐳𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐎𝐒𝐇 𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐦𝐨𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧

Western Mindanao State University (WMSU) was awarded the OSH Promotion in Education Award for exemplary compliance with occupational safety and health (OSH) requirements during the regional celebration of the 2025 World Day for Safety and Health at Work. The event was held at the Convention Hall Center of LM Metro Hotel on April 28, with the theme: “Revolutionizing Health and Safety: The Role of AI and Digitalization at Work Towards Achieving Zero Accidents.”

The event began with opening remarks from Director Albert Gutib, Regional Director of DOLE IX, who emphasized the critical role of technology in improving workplace safety. He noted that digital transformation has progressed from a distant vision to a present-day reality, driven by the rise of artificial intelligence, automation, and other digital technologies. These innovations, he added, are transforming the way industries operate, making it easier to prevent accidents, identify potential hazards early, and ensure the overall safety of workers.

The one-day seminar brought together 130 occupational safety and health advocates from both public and private sectors in an engaging program of collaboration, knowledge exchange, and best practices sharing in workplace safety. The event included a series of activities such as workshops by experts demonstrating AI-driven safety systems, interactive learning environments, and the innovative “PPE Costume Runway.”

The PPE Costume Runway was a creative and interactive portion of the event where participating institutions showcased various types of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) through a fashion-show-style presentation. The activity promoted not only the usability and significance of PPE in maintaining workplace safety but also encouraged creativity and awareness. Participants modeled different PPE designs, ranging from standard equipment to specialized gear, highlighting how safety can be effectively combined with innovation and education.

Following the interactive segments was the formal Commitment Signing Ceremony, titled “United for Zero Accidents – A Call to Action,” where participants pledged to advocate for safe and healthy working conditions within their respective organizations.

One of the program’s highlights was the “Oras ng Parangal at Pasasalamat,” which formally recognized the valuable contributions of nine award-winning organizations to the advancement of OSH standards. WMSU, one of the honorees, received recognition for its proactive and innovative approach to safety practices, particularly within the College of Engineering. Engr. Janueber J. Garcia of the Mechanical Engineering Department accepted the award on behalf of the University President.

To commemorate the achievement, a plaque and wood-carved WMSU seal turnover ceremony was held on May 6, 2025, at the Office of the President. The event was spearheaded by the RICME team, led by Engr. Kevin Marc Bejerano, with Engr. Arvic Francisco, Engr. Anamie Rabongue, and Engr. Janueber Garcia. Dr. Ulmen Riff Circulado, Dean of the College of Engineering, was also present.

The wood-carved WMSU seal, which symbolizes the university’s core values of quality, innovation, and integrity, is the first major output of the RICME Fabrication Unit using the CNC router. Its turnover to the Office of the President serves as a testament to the administration’s unwavering support for RICME under the leadership of University President Dr. Ma. Carla A. Ochotorena.

The RICME unit also expressed sincere gratitude to the Department of Science and Technology Regional Office IX (DOST-IX) for its continued support through funding initiatives. This support has been instrumental in establishing and sustaining RICME’s operations. With DOST-IX’s assistance, RICME has been able to fabricate technologies that have been deployed to communities, significantly contributing to WMSU’s ongoing innovation and extension efforts.

This recognition reinforces WMSU’s role as a model university that integrates safety into education and engineering while aligning with the national vision of achieving zero workplace accidents. By emphasizing the importance of digitalization and artificial intelligence in OSH, the event not only celebrated past accomplishments but also laid out a forward-looking vision where innovation drives safety standards across the Zamboanga Peninsula.

As the university moves toward smarter and more resilient workplaces, this year’s celebration stands as a testament to the power of collaboration, innovative leadership, and technological advancement in building a culture of safety for all. (Abiegail L. Villamor, TBIU Admin Aide III)