Margarita M. Phillips 
DOLE head office (photo INQUIRER file)
MANILA, Philippines — Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello III has ordered the resumption of nationwide labor inspections, the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) announced on Sunday.
Labor inspections were suspended in December to allow the DOLE to complete all pending labor standards cases and prepare the inspection program for 2022.
“In Administrative Order No. 11, Series of 2022 issued January 19, Bello authorized Department labor inspectors to conduct routine inspections, complaint inspection, workplace safety investigation, labor standards health and special inspection in establishments until December 31, 2022, unless earlier revoked,” DOLE said in a statement.
Bello also directed the agency’s regional directors “to issue corresponding authority to inspect and investigate specific establishments or workplaces.”
More than 600 labor inspectors have been authorized to carry out inspections in establishments across the country.
“Meanwhile, 126 technical safety inspectors have been authorized to carry out technical safety inspection of boilers, pressure vessels, internal combustion engines, elevators, lifting equipment, electrical wiring and other mechanical equipment installations,” the DOLE said.
Secretary of Labor Silvestre Bello III (INQUIRER file photo)
“In addition, technical safety inspectors who are licensed mechanical and electrical engineers are responsible for performing an initial review and assessment of mechanical and electrical plans for the issuance of a license to operate mechanical and electrical equipment. ‘an electrical inspection certificate for electrical wiring installations,’ the DOLE added. .
Bello reiterated that only designated hearing officers “will conduct mandatory conferences for inspections with violations found.”
“Among those authorized are 485 hearing officers to hold mandatory conferences after the expiration of the correction period for violations of general labor standards, occupational safety and health standards and procurement rules or subcontracting,” the DOLE said.
A total of 115 regional office staff have been designated as sheriffs who will be responsible for executing issued writs of execution, implementing decisions, and enforcing final decisions and orders.
In 2021, the DOLE inspected a total of 90,327 establishments covering 3.7 million workers.
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