DOLE-OSHC honors Hedcor with GKK Institutional Award
Davao City (15 October) -- "Work safely and live healthy," has always been Hedcor's workplace motto while operating in a dynamic, challenging, and multi-location environment. Their efforts in living this principle were recognized last October 8 when they were conferred as one of the safest companies in the Philippines.
The Department of Labor and Employment's (DOLE) Occupational Safety and Health Center (OSHC) honored Hedcor, Inc. and nine other establishments with the prestigious Gawad Kaligtasan at Kalusugan (GKK) Institutional Award during 6th GKK awarding ceremonies at the OSHC center in Quezon City. Hedcor safety and environmental officer Jose Tabanda was also honored with a plaque of recognition for his achievements in the area of occupational safety and health (OSH).
The award marks the second time Hedcor and Mr. Tabanda received a GKK award, having been presented a plaque of recognition and individual award, respectively in 2003.
"The award is a tribute to our collective and conscious effort to always put the safety and health of our team first above everything else," said Hedcor Vice President Chris Faelnar, who received the award together with Tabanda.
The biennial GKK awards highlight DOLE's National Zero Accident Program and showcase the best programs and practices on safety and health in the workplace carried out by companies and individuals nationwide. This year's GKK featured 24 establishments and 12 safety practitioners who vied for various awards and recognitions.
Among Hedcor's achievements in OSH was attaining one million man-hours with zero accidents twice in December 2004 and April 2008. These milestones were accomplished through the company's firmly established safety policies implemented by its own central health and safety committee.
Aside from this, the OSHC also commended Hedcor's environmental commitment to produce non-polluting energy coupled with a strong watershed management programs. The company's corporate social responsibility programs that support the overall sustainable development of its host communities were also lauded.
"We would like to acknowledge DOLE and the OSHC for these awards. They have truly inspired us to continuously strive and create a better, safer, healthier and more productive environment for our whole team," said Tabanda.
Hedcor is the largest privately-owned greenfield developer of run-of-river hydropower plants in the Philippines. It currently owns and operates 15 hydro facilities in Benguet and Davao with a total capacity of 38.22 megawatts of clean energy. The company is currently developing the 42.5-megawatt Sibulan and 27.5-megawatt Tamugan Hydopower projects in Davao to help avert an impending power crisis in the region. (Hedcor/PIA) [top]
