THE Department of Health (DOH) – Ilocos Region together with key government partners, today officially signed a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) to strategically scale up the implementation of the Healthy Workplace Framework, a major step toward building safer, healthier, and more resilient work environments in Region I held at the conference hall of the regional office in San Fernando City, La Union.
“This agreement is more than a partnership—it is a shared commitment to transform workplaces into environments that actively promote health and well-being,” Regional Director Paula Paz M. Sydiongco stated.
“By scaling up the Healthy Workplace Framework, we are investing in our workforce as a vital foundation for sustainable development and resilient communities.”
The initiative underscores the importance of integrating health promotion into everyday work settings, addressing critical priorities such as reducing tobacco and alcohol use, preventing communicable and non-communicable diseases, and strengthening mental health support systems.
DOLE Regional Director Exequiel Ronie A. Guzman emphasized that a healthy workplace produces productive workplace and that true progress lies not only in compliance but also in collaboration.
“Through this initiative, we move beyond regulatory measures by providing support, guidance and resources that empower establishments to create workplaces where workers can truly be empowered as well. This is a strategic move to ensure that occupational safety and health go hand in hand with overall well-being.”
Under the agreement, DOH – Ilocos Region lead capacity-building efforts, advocacy campaigns, and monitoring systems, while DOLE Region I will provide technical guidance for workplace policy alignment and private sector engagement. The CSC Region I will support policy development and training initiatives for the public sector, and DILG Region I will mobilize local government units (LGUs) to integrate the framework into local governance.
The Civil Service Commission Acting Regional Executive Director Cornelia M. Rillera assured that the agency remains committed in fostering inclusivity, promoting wellness, and sustaining a culture of care in all of their offices. “By embedding the Healthy Workplace Framework into policies and programs, we strengthen our resolve to build a healthier and more responsive institutions for the people we serve.”
“Local governments play a crucial role in bringing this framework to life,” added DILG Regional Director Jonathan Paul M. Leusen, Jr. “We stand ready to integrate these initiatives into local governance, strengtrhen policy compliance and foster a culture of well-being across both public and private sectors and create workplaces that not only comply with standards but truly care for the people who drive our communities forward.”
The partnership also emphasizes continuous collaboration, data-driven monitoring, and sustained advocacy to ensure long-term impact. By engaging both public and private stakeholders, the initiative aims to institutionalize healthy workplace practices across Region I.
As DOH – Ilocos Region moves forward, this unified effort signals a powerful commitment: health promotion is not just a program—it is a shared responsibility and a cornerstone of inclusive growth.
About the Author
