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The significance of prioritizing mental health in the workplace

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The need for mental health support in the workplace has become undeniable. Employers and organizations are increasingly understanding that mental well-being is not just a personal matter but a critical factor that impacts productivity, engagement, and overall work culture. Investing in mental health is essential for building a thriving and supportive workplace. Here are key reasons why giving importance to mental health at work is crucial:

1. Employee Well-Being and Performance:

Mental health significantly influences employee well-being and performance. When employees feel supported, valued, and mentally healthy, they are more engaged, motivated, and productive. Prioritizing mental health initiatives, such as counseling services, stress management programs, and mental health days, can enhance employee well-being and contribute to improved performance.

2. Reduction of Stigma and Discrimination:

By openly addressing mental health in the workplace, organizations can help reduce stigma and discrimination associated with mental health conditions. Creating a culture that encourages open conversations, provides support, and promotes understanding can empower employees to seek help without fear of judgment or repercussions.

3. Employee Retention and Recruitment:

Organizations that prioritize mental health are more likely to attract and retain top talent. In today’s competitive job market, job seekers are increasingly looking for employers who prioritize employee well-being. By demonstrating a commitment to mental health support, organizations can enhance their employer brand and create a positive work environment that attracts and retains skilled professionals.

4. Improved Team Dynamics and Collaboration:

A mentally healthy workplace fosters positive team dynamics, effective communication, and collaboration. When employees feel mentally supported and valued, they are more likely to work together harmoniously, share ideas, and contribute to a positive work culture. Prioritizing mental health initiatives can strengthen relationships among team members and enhance overall teamwork.

5. Enhanced Productivity and Innovation:

Mental health plays a crucial role in driving productivity and innovation. Employees who are mentally healthy and well-supported are better equipped to focus, think creatively, and problem-solve effectively. By investing in mental health resources and creating a supportive work environment, organizations can boost productivity, drive innovation, and achieve better business outcomes.

6. Legal and Ethical Responsibilities:

Employers have a legal and ethical responsibility to ensure the health and well-being of their employees, including their mental health. Neglecting mental health in the workplace can lead to legal liabilities, increased absenteeism, decreased productivity, and potential harm to employee morale. Prioritizing mental health aligns with ethical practices and demonstrates a commitment to creating a safe and supportive work environment.

In conclusion, giving importance to mental health in the workplace is not just a trend but a necessity for fostering a healthy, engaged, and productive workforce. Organizations that prioritize mental health initiatives demonstrate their commitment to employee well-being, create a positive work culture, and drive business success. By investing in mental health resources, reducing stigma, promoting open communication, and supporting employees’ mental well-being, organizations can create a workplace where employees thrive, perform at their best, and contribute to a positive and inclusive work environment.

A healthy workplace is not just about physical safety, but also about mental well-being. Investing in mental heal th initiatives is not just a nice-to-have, it’s a necessity for a thriving and productive workforce. When employees feel supported and valued, they are better equipped to handle stress, build resilience, and perform at their best. Prioritizing mental health fosters a culture of empathy, understanding, and respect, creating a positive and supportive environment where everyone can thrive. By recognizing the importance of mental health, businesses can unlock the full potential of their workforce and create a truly sustainable and successful future.
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If you have any questions or would like to share your thoughts on the column, feel free to send an email to jca.bblueprint@gmail.com. Looking forward to connecting with you!

Cashier arrested for alleged theft in Biliran

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ORMOC CITY– A cashier at a local meat shop was arrested by police after the store owner accused her of stealing money from the business.

The arrest took place at 11:50 am on February 6, at Daily Meat Shop Store in Barangay P.I. Garcia, Naval, Biliran.

The complainant, identified as alias “Mario”, 35, married, and the owner of Daily Meat Shop/24 Hours, alleged that the suspect, alias “Rachel”, 20 years old, single, and a resident of Barangay Lucsoon, Naval, had been pocketing store profits.

According to the initial police investigation, CCTV footage captured the suspect stealingP6,700 in store profits.

Police reported that the footage showed the suspect processing sales by punching items into the point-of-sale (POS) system, generating receipts, and accepting customer payments. However, instead of placing the money in the cash register, the suspect allegedly pocketed both the cash and the receipt.

To cover her tracks, police added that the suspect would cancel the transactions, ensuring they were not recorded in the total sales, making it appear as though there was no discrepancy between the recorded earnings and the actual cash on hand.

The suspect has been charged with qualified theft and is currently detained at the Naval Municipal Police Station (MPS) pending further legal proceedings.

(ROBERT DEJON)

High-value drug suspect nabbed in Tacloban buy-bust

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ORMOC CITY– A high-value drug suspect listed on the watchlist of the Station Drug Enforcement Team (SDET) of Police Station 3, Tacloban City Police Office (TCPO), was arrested in a buy-bust operation at around 9:30 pm on January 25, in Barangay 101, New Kawayan, Tacloban City.

Police identified the suspect as alias “Buroy,” 31, who lives with a common-law wife and is a resident of Barangay 99, Diit, said city.

During the operation, authorities recovered the following items from the suspect one sachet of suspected shabu purchased by an undercover operative for P500; one knot-tied plastic sachet wrapped with white masking tape containing another suspected shabu; one .38 caliber revolver (without a serial number) loaded with three live bullets; and a brown sling bag used to conceal the firearm and illegal drugs.

A body search, conducted in the presence of law-mandated witnesses, confirmed the possession of illegal drugs and the unlicensed firearm.

The suspect was informed of his constitutional rights under the Miranda Doctrine in a language he understood. He is now facing multiple charges, including violation of Sections 5 (Sale of Illegal Drugs), 7 (Caught Inside a Drug Den), and 11 (Possession of Illegal Drugs) of Republic Act (RA) 9165 – Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002; violation of RA 10591 or the Comprehensive Law on Firearms and Ammunition for illegal possession of a firearm.

The case has been filed at the City Prosecutor’s Office, while the suspect remains detained at Police Station 3, TCPO pending further investigation.
(ROBERT DEJON)

P750-million international convention center to rise in Tacloban

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House Speaker Martin Romualdez(3rd from right) leads the groundbreaking of the proposed P750-million Benjamin Romualdez International Convention Center in Tacloban City on Friday, February 7. Also in the photo were ABC president Raymund Romualdez, representing his father, Tacloban City Mayor Alfred Romualdez, DPWH Regional Director Engr. Edgar Tabacon, and Ferdinand Martin Romualdez, son of the House Speaker.
House Speaker Martin Romualdez(3rd from right) leads the groundbreaking of the proposed P750-million Benjamin Romualdez International Convention Center in Tacloban City on Friday, February 7. Also in the photo were ABC president Raymund Romualdez, representing his father, Tacloban City Mayor Alfred Romualdez, DPWH Regional Director Engr. Edgar Tabacon, and Ferdinand Martin Romualdez, son of the House Speaker.

TACLOBAN CITY – A P750-million international convention center will soon rise here in the city with House Speaker Martin Romualdez leading its groundbreaking ceremony on February 7.

The Benjamin Romualdez International Convention Center (BRICC) will be constructed on a two-hectare site at the former Leyte Park Hotel grounds along Magsaysay Boulevard.
The facility is named after Benjamin Romualdez, the late father of Speaker Romualdez, who served as Leyte governor from 1967 to 1986.

Speaker Romualdez emphasized that the project not only highlights Tacloban and Leyte’s rich culture but also stands as a symbol of resilience following the devastation caused by Super Typhoon Yolanda in 2013.

“More than a decade after Yolanda, who would have thought that we would have such a beautiful, world-class convention center?” Romualdez, who represents Leyte’s 1st Congressional District, remarked.

The Leyte Park Hotel, which once occupied the site, was severely damaged when Super Typhoon ‘Yolanda’ struck Tacloban on November 8, 2013.

Romualdez assured that construction will begin immediately and is expected to be completed within two to three years, as funding for the project has already been secured.
Originally, BRICC was designed as a three-story, modern facility with a seating capacity of 2,200 people.

However, Romualdez has requested the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) to revise the design and increase capacity to 5,000 to accommodate larger events and gatherings.

Among those present were ABC president Raymund Romualdez, representing his father, Tacloban City Mayor Alfred Romualdez, DPWH Regional Director Engr. Edgar Tabacon, Ferdinand Martin Romualdez, son of the House Speaker, City Councilor Aimee Grafil and husband, Dandee Grafil, and village officials of the city.

(JOEY A. GABIETA)

Leyte school rejects commercial fishing in municipal waters

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TACLOBAN CITY – Fishery school Visayas State University (VSU) satellite campus in Tolosa, Leyte, has joined government agencies and several groups in opposing the Supreme Court (SC) decision allowing commercial vessels to operate within the 15-kilometer municipal waters previously intended for small-scale fishermen.

The Faculty of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences of the VSU Tolosa campus said in a statement Thursday that the ruling “poses a serious threat to the coastal ecosystems and the communities that depend on the resources therein.”

The school calls for the status quo of the implementing rules and regulations of the Republic Act (RA) 8550, or The Philippine Fisheries Code of 1998, as amended by RA 10654, otherwise known as an Act to prevent, deter, and eliminate illegal, unreported, and unregulated fishing, on prohibiting the entry of the commercial fishing vessels in the municipal waters.

“By allowing the commercial fishing activities in municipal waters, it would add immense pressure that would intensify overfishing and devastate the marine ecosystems that are already under strain,” the school said.

The VSU satellite campus said most of the commercial fishers in the country use active gears, including trawl, Danish seine, purse seine, and ring net, which are not only highly efficient but are also associated with negative biological and environmental impacts.

“On top of these, the entry of the commercial vessels would imperil the livelihood of the small-scale fishers who highly depend on the municipal waters for their daily sustenance and potentially, all other stakeholders in the chain will also be affected,” the VSU campus added.

Allowing the entry of commercial fishing vessels into municipal waters would jeopardize both the coastal environment and the people dependent on it, especially artisanal or small-scale fishers, it said.

Last month, the Department of Agriculture (DA) and its attached agency, the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR), sought the reversal of a High Court decision that allowed commercial fishing in municipal waters.

The BFAR’s motion stemmed from the SC’s First Division ruling affirming a Malabon Regional Trial Court decision in favor of the petition of Mercidar Fishing Corp. to operate in municipal waters.

The VSU-Tolosa Campus in the coastal town of Tolosa was established on Sept. 11, 1971, and was formerly named Daniel Z. Romualdez Memorial School of Fisheries.

It aims to spearhead the region’s socio-economic development through relevant fishery instruction, research, extension, and production, which will result in the proper utilization and management of fishery resources.
(SARWELL Q. MENIANO/PNA)

DPWH nears completion of flood control project in Leyte town

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The Leyte 2nd District Engineering Office reported that the construction of a riverbank protection at Labiran Bridge in Dulag is now near completion. The project is to be completed March of this year.(L2DEO)
The Leyte 2nd District Engineering Office reported that the construction of a riverbank protection at Labiran Bridge in Dulag is now near completion. The project is to be completed March of this year.(L2DEO)

TACLOBAN CITY – The Leyte 2nd District Engineering Office of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) is nearing completion of a riverbank protection retaining wall along Labiranan Bridge in Barangay San Jose, Dulag, Leyte, aimed at safeguarding the area from flooding risks during the rainy season.

District Engineer Leo Edward Oppura reported that the project involves the construction of a 313-linear-meter flood control structure, consisting of upstream structure – 254 linear meters; downstream structure – 59 linear meters; and height of 5.8 meters, reinforced with structural steel sheet piles

“This flood control project will play a vital role in mitigating severe damage and protecting lives and properties in the vicinity. Once completed, it will significantly reduce the risk of flooding,” said Oppura.

Barangay Councilor Jemmy Cionelo, who resides near the project site, shared its positive impact on the community.

“With the completion of the Labiranan Bridge flood control project, flooding has been significantly reduced, especially during bad weather conditions. Aside from its primary purpose, the area has also become a popular recreation spot. Every morning, many residents use it for jogging and other fitness activities,” he said.

Cionelo also expressed gratitude to the DPWH on behalf of the Barangay Council and San Jose residents.

“We are truly grateful for this DPWH project, as it has greatly benefited our community.”
Funded under the 2024 General Appropriations Act (GAA) through the flood management program, the project has already reached 92.28% completion and is expected to be fully completed by March 7, 2025.

(LIZBETH ANN A. ABELLA)

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