By ERWIN ‘AMBO’ DELILAN
I WAS so happy to read the story re: “ISO 45001-2018 for Occupational Health and Safety Excellence for the Gotianuns-led Filinvest Development Corporation-Misamis Power Corporation” (FDC Misamis) in Villanueva town, Misamis Oriental.
FDC Misamis was my first company when I jumped to the corporate jungle 11 years ago.
ISO stands for International Organization for Standardization.
ISO is a nongovernmental organization composed of national standards bodies from more than 160 countries. Thus an ISO certification is like a “crown” for industries in the Philippines, especially if it’s on health and safety excellence.
For FDC Misamis under the leadership of my former boss, Juan Eugenio Roxas (or Sir Johnny to us), the sitting president and chief executive officer (CEO) for FDC Utilities, Inc., having this ISO certification on health and safety is truly “beyond celebration”.
ZERO HARM
Within, there’s an “act of heroism beyond description” because to be ISO-certified on health and safety means within FDC Misamis compound “Safety First” is paramount. Hence, there’s zero harm among workers.
More so when I read Sir Johnny’s quotable quote: “The safety and well-being of our employees are paramount.” It figuratively “pumps my heart” to gladness. Such a statement connotes that to operate a 3×135-megawatt base-load thermal power plant is not just about producing power, or empowering the country, or to rake profits. There’s an element of care for workers by ensuring their safety at all cost. This business concept is beyond praise.
GOOD REPUTATION
Moreover, to be ISO-certified will also lead to having a good reputation – an intangible “prime asset” that the Gotianuns and Sir Johnny could be proud of.
FDC Misamis applied for this ISO certification in 2018 (when I was still there); it was finally issued only this March 2024. There was rigid verification as to the best practices on health and safety matters.
Hooray, therefore, because after six grueling years, FDC Misamis got it. I myself can’t help but be proud of it, being a former public relations (PR) consultant of the company.
Hats off to Sir Johnny for enduring the “test of time”. An ISO certification is priceless and implies greatness.
SAFETY IS CRUCIAL
Let’s be reminded from time-to-time that safety is crucial. And in an industrial company, it is one among the criteria being considered when it comes to workers’ retention.
Safe working conditions are tantamount to a mishap-free workplace. In short, there are less professional health costs within the work station.
And having less professional health costs will surely lead to “superb productivity” that will spell long-term benefits for both workers and employers.
BEST BE SAFE TODAY
Question: Who’s the prime actor for this “Safety First” mantra?
The answer: The employer per se.
The Gotianuns and Sir Johnny were instrumental in giving emphasis and “truth” to safety first within FDC Misamis compound.
What they did form part of their “un-choreographed heroism” that FDC Misamis workers should be thankful for. Hope that all industrial companies in the country will follow suit – be safety conscious for it is best to be safe today.
And as a potent reminder – never forget about safety, or always stand up for safety.
It is said that safety is free, so let’s use plenty of it!/PN
