It was in 1966 when a group of company physicians organized themselves to form the Industrial Medical Association of the Philippines (IMAP).

In 1976, Dr. Gregorio Dizon initiated the merging of the three occupational health associations:

Industrial Medical Association of the Philippines (IMAP)

Philippine Association of Occupational Health (PAOH)

Phil. Association of Compensation Medicine (PACOM)

to become the Philippine Occupational and Industrial Medical Association (POIMA). 

The 350 physician’s members of POIMA formed the first six (6) chapters, namely Baguio-Benguet, Cebu, Negros Occidental, Laguna, Southern Mindanao, and Northern Mindanao.

In 1982, the Specialty Board of Occupational Medicine was formed to design, organize, and conduct the Diplomate Course in Occupational Medicine and the periodic examinations for applicants leading to the specialty of Occupational Medicine. It is also mandated to grant certificates of specialization in Occupational Medicine with the title of Diplomates in Occupational Medicine and to review applications for Fellows in Occupational Medicine.  

In 1989, the name of the association was changed to the Philippine College of Occupational Medicine (PCOM) to better align the organization’s identity with its objectives and activities. 

It has been accredited by the Department of Labor and Employment as a training institution to conduct the Basic Occupational Safety & Health (BOSH) for doctors and dentists. This training is mandated by the DOLE for those providing health services in all workplaces. It has conducted this course all over the country both in Metro Manila and through its chapters.

The Modular Diplomate Course on Occupational Medicine has been conducted once a year for doctors and PCOM members, who have completed the Basic Course in Occupational Medicine and with at least 2 years of active practice in Occupational Medicine.  

Since then PCOM has been active as the Specialty Organization in Occupational Medicine, duly accredited by the Philippine Medical Association, and the PhilHealth. PCOM is also accredited by the Professional Regulatory Commission as a CPE provider for doctors practicing Occupational Medicine. 

It has forged partnerships with other Specialty Societies to advance the delivery of health services for our workers. PCOM and the Philippine Environmental and Occupational Dermatology Group partnered to host the 8th Asia-Pacific Dermatology Symposium last October 25-27, 2005, at the Westin Philippine Plaza Hotel, Manila.

PCOM has maintained its affiliation with the International Commission on Occupational Health (ICOH) and its active membership in the Asian Association of Occupational Health (AAOH). PCOM organized and hosted the Asian Conference on Occupational Health on November 8-12, 1999 at the Cebu International Convention Center, Cebu City.

PCOM has maintained its affiliation with the International Commission on Occupational Health (ICOH) and its active membership in the Asian Association of Occupational Health (AAOH). PCOM organized and hosted the Asian Conference on Occupational Health on November 8-12, 1999 at the Cebu International Convention Center, Cebu City.

In 2013, PCOM ‘s sphere of influence has extended beyond our shores, when PCOM was invited to the American Occupational Health Conference (AOHC) in Orlando, Florida, and the post conference Collaborative Meeting of International Occupational Medicine Societies, with mostly its Presidents attending. That was the start of collaboration among the leaders in Occupational Medicine of 18 countries, sharing their best practices to improve the                 practice of Occupational Medicine globally. This 2014, the session on Occupational Health System around the Globe will have the PCOM President, as one of the three speakers, at the 99th American Occupational Health Conference, organized by the American College of Occupational & Environmental Medicine. This is said to be the premiere professional meeting for physicians and other health workers with interest in the field of Occupational Medicine.

At present, PCOM has 31 Chapters all over the country, mainly because of the surging interest in Occupational Medicine among young doctors and specialists in other medical fields

PCOM has regular Annual National Conventions in Metro Manila and Midyear National Conventions in major cities of the country. These are organized to update members as they address the changes and the emerging new challenges in the practice of Occupational Medicine. Thus, members are given opportunities to gain new knowledge from the experts and the experience of peers, as old friendships are renewed and new ones are forged.

PCOM has remained the prime mover in the preservation, promotion, protection, and enhancement of the health, wellness, and safety of workers, in all occupations, thru its present 2,500 active members all over the country, with collaboration with all stakeholders, both local and international.

The grand launching of Occupational Medicine Week was held in Manila Hotel on March 22, 2022 during the 43th PCOM Annual National Convention. This momentous event is the culmination of 4 year of relentless lobbying by PCOM for the need to promote awareness of the strategies to prevent and control occupational injuries and diseases to reduce work-related disabilities and death in the country. As a result, the 3rd week  of March of every year has been declared as Occupational Medicine Week by virtue of President Proclamation No. 1316 which was signed on March 2, 2022. DOLE-OSHC in partnership with PCOM will be the lead agencies to promote this annual event beginning with the OM week celebration in 2023.