PART I – INTRODUCTION

THE AGRICULTURAL SECTOR IN THE COUNTRY

The Philippines is an agricultural country. Two-thirds of the population is in the rural areas,
devoting their time to farming, fishing, forestry and animal-raising. One of the important sectors
of the nation’s economy is agriculture, providing jobs for almost half of the labor force and
supplying its basic necessities such as rice, corn and coconut.1

In 2002, the Philippines registered 4.8 million agricultural lands reaching an estimate of 9.7
million hectares. This represents 32.3% of the whole land mass area of the country.2 The
agricultural sector accounts for 22% of the Gross National Product. Millions of Filipino families
benefit from agriculture as their main form of livelihood.

However, most of our farmers do not have their own land or own only an approximate of two
hectares. This lessens the chance for profit maximization, causing the proliferation of poverty in
the rural areas.

THE DEPARTMENT OF AGRARIAN REFORM

In order to provide opportunity in improving a farmer’s standard of living, the Department of

Agrarian Reform put in order the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program (CARP) in 1988.
The Program does not only grant farmers ownership to land but also give appropriate support
services to ensure their productivity.

One of these services is the Program Beneficiaries Development (PBD) which aims to develop
the Agrarian Reform Communities (ARCs). The ARCs Development Program is the DAR’s
major strategy wherein the barangays or districts with the most number of ARBs become the
center of services for the continuous advancement of skills. In 2006, the number of ARCs
reached 1,617 found in 1,146 municipalities and 6,306 barangays.

Through this ARC strategy, the beneficiaries of CARP are given the capacity to initiate and
manage their individual and group projects. Services are available to the beneficiaries through
the following intermediate programs:
• Promotion of land ownership;
• Development of societal infrastructure and community skills;
• Fostering of rural enterprises;
• Development of society’s basic needs;
• Development of individual gender.

The programs aim to enhance the dignity of the ordinary farmers in the ARCs.

FARMING AND THE LIFE IN THE RURAL AREAS3

1
Gonzales, ML. J. “A Brief Perspective on Life and Work Environment in the Rural Agricultural Sector”, 2005
2
Ibid
3
Ibid

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Living and working conditions in the rural areas are overlapping – the home is in close proximity
to the field, reason why any sickness or danger in farming may affect the family of the farmer
and the community they belong.

Farming in the Philippines usually involves not only the farmer but also his/her family members,
including women and children. They do not mind the laborious phases of farming – the tilling of
land, planting and other activities in the field. More often than not, these tasks cause different
illnesses such as rheumatism, cough and colds, headache, back pains due to factors including
winds, rain, and overexposure to the sun. They face different health hazards such as infections,
skin sores, lung complications attributable to chemicals and viruses carried by animals and other
vectors. Accidents are in the offing for those who use the tractors, dryers and other machines
without the appropriate knowledge and training.

Imminent threats are also present in the homes of small farmers. They do not have regular
consultation with physicians. They have deficiencies in nutrition. Their environment is
unsystematic and disorganized, with kitchen utensils merged with those used for farming and
other tools.

These situations are often the effects of the country’s lack of programs for occupational health
and safety for informal sectors, including the agricultural sector. Like other countries, there is no
regulation and supervision in enforcing this type of program to the farmers in the Philippines.

OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY AND HEALTH

Occupational Safety and Health refers to the assurance to the conditions of occupation wherein
workers can accomplish their tasks safely and will not lead to sickness whether in the short or
long term. This is also a guarantee that workers, including those in the informal sectors, like
farmers who use dangerous machinery, will be given appropriate training on the proper use of
these tools.

The following are some of the categories of the danger as a result of wrong use of tools,
machinery, or the lack of knowledge on ventilation, electrical equipment, and the lack of
attention for proper medication and treatment.
• Chemical hazards such as infirmities caused by exposure of body to chemicals, extreme
noise, dust, polluted environment, wrong use of protective equipment;
• Ergonomic hazards due to wrong positioning or manner of body motions such as the
inappropriate arrangement of workplace, awkward posture, or prolonged body curvature;
• Biological hazards such as viruses, bacteria, snake bites, or parasite contact.

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THE OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY AND HEALTH THROUGH WORK IMPROVEMENT
IN NEIGHBORHOOD DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM (OSH-WIND)

The living and working conditions of farmers pave the way for DAR’s new project on
Occupational Safety and Health. This program does not only focus on providing skills in
managing the farmer’s individual and group projects. More over, this opens up their awareness
for better living and working conditions in their households and farms respectively.

The DAR and the International Labour Organization – Sub-Regional Office for Southeast Asia
and the Pacific work hand-in-hand in implementing Occupational Safety and Health through
Work Improvement in Neighborhood Development for Agrarian Reform Beneficiaries. This
aims to elevate the conditions of farmers and their families in their living and working
conditions.

This is accomplished by offering adequate information on topics that are usually disregarded like
health, caring for one’s self while at work, household management, and many others. These
issues are the quintessence of this Manual. Shown and discussed are simple, practical and low-
cost strategies for farmers and their families, most especially the agrarian reform beneficiaries,
who cultivate the traditional crops such as rice, corn and coconut.

Through this Program, it is expected that farmers may consider the importance of proper, healthy
and safe conditions in the household and farms towards a higher level of productivity.