Fulfilling its commitment to place decent and productive jobs within the reach of all jobseekers through job fairs, the DOLE recorded a total of

100,328 jobseekers hired-on-the-spot (HOTS) in 1,319 job fairsheld from January to November 2013 in all the 16 regions of the country.

Based on the DOLE’s Statistical Performance Reporting System (SPRS), there were 2,928,794 job vacancies solicited from 21,399 employers and establishments that participated in the job fairs.

On the other hand, the SPRS recorded a total of 599,474 job applicants who registered for the job fair.

“Evidently, there are plenty of job vacancies in the country that needed to be filled up and at the same time, there is a huge number of jobseekers who need to be placed in jobs that will match their skills and competencies. Slowly but surely, we are confident that through several programs and mechanisms, we will be able to address the problem of jobs-skills mismatch. These job fairs were one of those programs which were instrumental in fulfilling our commitment,” Labor and Employment Secretary Rosalinda Dimapilis-Baldoz explained.

She said the figures represented only those who were able to get the job they applied for right away and did not include those who were scheduled for further examination, interview, or evaluation. “In majority of DOLE’s job fairs, there were more job vacancies than job applicants,” Baldoz noted.

In 2013, the DOLE regions and the number of job fairs they conducted were as follows: National Capital Region (NCR), 388; Region IV-A, 181; Region III, 131; Region VII,107; Region I, 92; Region X, 75; Region V, 60; Region VI, 52; Region XII, 51; Region II, 48; Caraga, 31; Region XI, 28; Cordillera Autonomous Region (CAR), 23; Region IV-B and VIII, 19 each; and IX, 14.

Among the regions, the NCR recorded the most number of H.O.T.S in the job fairs with 31,283. It is followed by

Region IV-A, with 21,633; Region XII, 10,835; Region III, 10,121; Region VIII, 5,445; CAR, 3,6745; Region I, 3,620; Region X, 3,360; Region XI, 2,576; Region VII, 2,208; Region VI, 2,081; Caraga, 1,354; Region II, 663; Region V, 601; Region IX, 497; and Region IV-B, 377.

In this year’s Labor Day job fair, for example, the DOLE’s Bureau of Local Employment reported a total of 20,934 jobseekers who were hired on the spot, with 85,811 assessed for further interview, and 6,429 ‘near hires’ referred to the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) to avail of the free skills training and upgrading needed to qualify for the job.

“Job fairs are more viable and economical venues to search for workers and to search for jobs,” Secretary Baldoz said, adding:

“Besides saving time, effort, and resources, jobseekers can also have the opportunity to apply to as many employers in one venue, while participating employers will be able to pre-qualify and screen as many applicants in real time for the job opportunities they offer.”

DOLE’s job fairs in 2013 included one-stop-shops to address job applicants’ pre-employment needs. These one-stop-shops were manned by personnel and representatives from DOLE partner-agencies, such as the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BI R), National Bureau of Investigation (NBI), National Statistics Office (NSO), Pagibig Fund, PhilHealth, Social Security System (SSS), who offered and provided their programs and services on-site.

“The success of our job fairs in 2013 could not be credited solely to the DOLE. A huge part of this success came from the tireless participation of all employers and establishments who extended their efforts in bringing job vacancies to the jobseekers. We also owe it to our social partners who constantly supported us and who took part in our goal of bringing decent and productive jobs to the Filipinos,” Baldoz said finally.

In 2013, DOLE’s 1,319 job fairs hired-on-the-spot over 100-K applicants

Happy Holidays!

DOLE Good News

The DOLE Good News is published by the Department of Labor and Employment, with editorial office at the Labor Communications Office, 6th Floor, DOLE Building, Intramuros, Manila. The views expressed herein are those of the writers and/or their sources and do not necessarily reflect those of the DOLE’s or the Philippine Government’s.

Readers’ queries, comments, and suggestions are welcome. Mail or fax them in, or call us at telephone numbers 527-3000 loc. 621. Our fax number is 527-3446. You may also visit our website: www.dole.gov.ph; or e-mail us at dole_lco@yahoo.com or laborcommunications@gmail.com.

EditorNICON F. FAMERONAG

Director, LCO

Associate EditorKAREN R. SERRANO

Staff WritersMARK JAIME L. CERDENIA

MA. VERONICA R. ALMAZORACELESTE T. MARING

HAZEL JOY T. GALAMAYREVELITA F. LAXINA

Editorial AssistantsGIRLIE MARLYN E. ARCEMADELYN D. DOMETITA

Graphic ArtistGREGORIO I. GALMAN

PhotographerJOMAR S. LAGMAY

Circulation ManagerGIRLIE MARLYN E. ARCE

Contributing Regional Writers

DIANA JOYZ ESGUERRA - NCR

PATRICK T. RILLORTA - CAR

ARLY S. VALDEZ - Region 1

REGINALD B. ESTIOCO - Region 2

JEREMIAH M. BORJA - Region 3

FRANZ RAYMOND AQUINO - Region 4A

ANDREA JOY AGUTAYA - Region 4B

RAYMOND P. ESCALANTE - Region 5

AMALIA N. JUDICPA - Region 6

EMMANUEL Y. FERRER - Region 7

FLORENCE D. PANAO - Region 8

GAY IRIS TANGCALAGAN - Region 9

MILDRED E. DABLIO - Region 10

JOCELYN C. FLORDELIS - Region 11

CHARMAINE DAWN L. SONSONA - Region 12

IRIS C. ASIS - Caraga

� December 2013

DOLE Good News

�December 2013

For Philippine Employment Service Offices, popularly known as the PESOs, 2013 is a record-breaking

year.“The PESOs in 2013 broke the record

for jobseekers placed. As of 31 October, they have already placed 1,092,222 jobseekers to various jobs in the 3,199,656 job vacancies posted/solicited. This already surpasses the PESOs’ placement target of 1,025,574 by 6 percent, and the target for job vacancies posted/solicited of 2,764,233 by 15.75 percent for the entire 2013,” said Labor and Employment Secretary Rosalinda Dimapilis-Baldoz.

According to the labor and employment chief, the 1,092,222 jobseekers placed for the January-October 2013 period is well comparable to the 1,152.228 jobseekers placed by the PESOs in the whole year of 2012.

The 2012 number of job vacancies posted/solicited by the PESOs was 3,194,009, lower by only 5,647 job vacancies than the 2013 PESOs accomplishment as of 31 October 2013.

Secretary Baldoz said she expects the number of jobseekers placed and the vacancies posted/solicited by the PESOs to still increase.

With 1.092 million job seekers placed

2013 is record-breaking year for PESOsShe explained that the PESOs were able

to achieve the feat due to the concerted efforts of all DOLE regional offices, local government units, and the PESOs themselves and their partners.

Another highlight of the PESOs’2013 accomplishment is the total number of jobseekers the PESOs referred for placement. As of 31 October, the number has reached 1,292,071 jobseekers, or 94.75 percent of the whole year target of 1,354,883 jobseekers referred.

“The number of jobseekers the PESOs refer for placement and the total number of jobseekers they actually place are major indicators of the PESOs’ performance because these give us a clear picture of how many jobseekers were assisted to land in decent and productive wage employment ,” Baldoz observed.

Baldoz also said there are already 241institutionalized PESOs nationwide, compared to only 165 in 2012, an increase on 76; higher by 168 than the 73 in 2011; and up by 176 from the 65 institutionalized PESOs in 2010.

Baldoz, citing the report of the Bureau of Local Employment which supervises the PESOs, also said that as of 30 November, there are already 1,887

established PESOs nationwide, compared to only 1,835 established PESOs in 2012, an increase of 46 percent. However, of the number of established PESOs, only 1,270 are operating—providing employment services at the grassroots level.

“The number of established PESOs in 2013 has increased over last year’s and so did the number of operational PESOs, which is already 1,270, compared to 1,212 in 2012; 1,125 in 2011; and 1,059 in 2010. This is an increase of 58 operational PESOs between 2012 and 2013, and 211 between 2010 and 2013,” Baldoz said.

The labor and employment chief attributed the increasing number of workers referred and placed in local and overseas employment to institutionalized PESOs.

“The PESOs in 2013 broke the record for jobseekers placed by placing 1,092,222 jobseekers to various jobs as of 31 October, exceeding the PESOs’ placement target of 1,025,574 by 6 percent. There is no doubt this is highly attributable to the number of PESOs that have been institutionalized,” said Baldoz.

Baldoz said the DOLE in 2014 will continue to strengthen its campaign among local governments for the institutionalization of their respective PESOs to enable jobseekers, workers, and employers to enjoy the PESOs’ frontline programs and services in employment facilitation and labor market information delivery.

(Applause) Maraming salamat po. Maupo ho tayo lahat.

Akala ko may opening remarks ka, Linda. (laughter) Hihinga sana ako ng konti pero: Secretary Linda Baldoz; Secretary Joel Villanueva; Secretary Sonny Coloma; Undersecretaries of the Department of

Labor and Employment: Danny Cruz, Rebecca Chato, Ciriaco Lagunzad III; former secretaries present: Benny Laguesma, Nieves Confesor, Ruben Torres, Nitoy Roque—sorry, the former secretaries present; attached agencies; officials and staff of the Department of Labor and Employment; fellow workers in government; honoured guests; mga minamahal ko pong kababayan: Magandang umaga po sa inyong lahat.

Ginawa naman niyo akong teacher. (laughter) Nung binabasa ko po itong talumpati kaninang umaga talagang napakahaba ng accomplishments niyo, problema nung mga writer ko hindi nila mailagay lahat ng accomplishments niyo dahil baka hindi na raw ho tayo matapos. (applause) Mamaya magmi-meeting na naman kami, sasabihin ko naman, pag may talumpati kailangan may istorya tayong sinasabi para madaling maintindihan. Hindi puro, tawag ko “laundry list,” ililista lang yung accomplishments parang—o ngayon, di ba, sa dulo. Pero ang haba nga ho, talagang may simpatiya ako sa aking mga writers. Medyo mahirap talagang ilagay sa isang istorya ang napakahabang listahan ng, ulit, ng accomplishments po niyo.

Iba po talaga ang DOLE. Noong nakaraang taon lang nang ipaabot ko sa inyo ang aking paghanga sa matatagumpay ninyong inisyatiba para sa ating mga manggagawa.

Pinasalamatan ko rin kayo noon sa pagtulong ninyo sa mga kababayan nating sinalanta ng bagyong Pablo. Kung napakataas na ng antas ng serbisyong ipinakita ninyo noon, tinumbasan pa ninyo ito ng panibagong gilas ngayong taon. (applause) Kaya kung happy ako palagay ko mamaya happy rin kayo lalo. (audience cheering/applause) Paliwanag naman natin bakit tayo dapat happy lahat (laughter) at ito nga po ang lalong nagpapatingkad sa pagdiriwang natin sa inyong ika-walumpung anibersaryo. Alam po niyo sa sunud-sunod na trahedyang dinaanan ng bansa ngayong taon, nariyan ang inyong ahensya bilang matibay na sandigan ng mga kababayan natin para sa kanilang muling pagbangon.

Isipin po ninyo: labing-isang araw lang ang nakalipas matapos hagupitin ng bagyong Yolanda ang kalakhang Kabisayaan, pinangunahan ng DOLE ang pagkakaloob ng libu-libong emergency employment sa mga apektadong komunidad. (applause) Si Secretary Linda nga po ang naging punong-abala sa koordinasyon ng mga ahensya sa paghahatid ng ayuda para sa mga biktima. Siya po ang inatasan nating mangasiwa sa Typhoon Yolanda Information Assistance Center—ang ahensyang nakatoka para sa pagkalap at pagpapalaganap ng impormasyon ukol sa mga donasyon, volunteers, missing persons, at pagtukoy sa mga pangangailangan ng komunidad.

Marahil marami ho sa inyo ang nagtataka bakit natoka kaya si Secretary Linda doon sa lahat na iyon. Si Secretary Dinky ho, si Secretary Volts, Secretary Mar nakababad sa Kabisayaan ng mga panahong iyan. Si Secretary Purisima ng Finance biglang naging repacking czar, nadamay pa si Joel Villanueva na ang buhok ho ngayon ay naging brown, (laughter) dati ho’y black na black dahil maganda raw ho yung bakasyon niya sa Cebu, (laughter) siya ho kasi naging repacking czar doon. Secretary Jun naman po ng DOTC naging transportation czar, at nung andami ngang lumalapit nagbibigay ng donation either sa pera, in kind, services, etc., tumingin ako sa Gabinete at naghanap ako ng volunteer. Eh nakita ko si Secretary Linda, kako, Linda, baka naman kaya mong gawin ito para hindi na sa akin dadaan lahat, at agad hong nagsabing: Yes, Sir, at talaga namang naging mistulang sariling call center si Ka Linda. (applause)

Balita ko po, simple na lang din ang ginawa ninyong selebrasyon upang higit kayong makapaghatid ng tulong sa mga sinalanta nating kababayan. Hayaan ninyo pong ako na ang magpaabot sa inyo ng isang taos-pusong pasasalamat. Kapag po talaga masigasig, maaasahan, at sinsero ang ating mga ahensya sa pagtugon sa mga hamon, talagang naiibsan ang bagabag at agam-agam natin sa panahon ng trahedya.

Siyempre, ang epektibong pagtugon sa kalamidad ay isa lang po sa mahabang listahan ng mga tagumpay ng DOLE sa nakalipas na taon. Maipagmamalaki rin natin ang pagkakaroon ng stable industrial peace

climate sa bansa. Dahil dito, mas nahihikayat natin ang mga investors para sa pagpapalawak o pagbubukas nila ng negosyo sa Pilipinas.

Kapansin-pansin nga po ang maayos na relasyon ng ating mga manggagawa at mga kompanya. Isipin po ninyo: Buhat ng 2010, nananatiling mababa ang bilang ng mga strike ayon sa National Conciliation and Mediation Board. Sumasalamin ito sa tagumpay ng Single Entry Approach o SEnA ng DOLE, kung saan dumadaan sa 30-day conciliation-mediation ang nakahaing labor cases. Ang maganda nga, sa 152 notices of strike and lockout ngayong taon, isa lang ang natuloy na welga. (applause) Ito raw po ang pinakamababa sa kasaysayan ng DOLE. Dahil sa naresolbang mga kaso sa pamamagitan ng SEnA mula Oktubre 2010 hanggang Setyembre 2013, napadali ang pagbabayad ng 2.4 billion pesos na monetary benefits para sa 82,578 na manggagawa. Kaya naman di na po ako nagtatakang nakuha ng SEnA Team ang CSC Presidential Lingkod Bayan Award ngayong taon. (applause) Last year raw ho yata dalawa eh, this year isa, so next year siguro pag sinabi niyo yun: Sir, nakalahati namin ulit, ibig sabihin 0.5, (laughter) medyo kalahating strike, ano kaya ang kalahati? Hindi ho katanggap-tanggap yung 0.5 ha, baka kung gawin niyong zero hindi ho ako magagalit sa inyo.

Saludo rin tayo sa new labor law compliance and incentivizing system bilang tugon sa mga isyung nakapaloob sa labor contractualization. Sa tulong nito, sinisiguro nating napapangalagaan ang karapatan ng ating manggagawa; na ang mga kompanyang sakop ng Labor Code ay may tamang pasuweldo at benepisyo para sa kanilang mga empleyado.

Nakapag-deploy na rin tayo ng Unified Registration System ng Batas Kasambahay. Sa pagtutulungan ng DOLE, SSS, PhilHealth, at Pag-IBIG, mas mabilis at simple na ang pagrehistro ng mga employer at kasambahay para sa kanilang mga benepisyo—2.9 na milyong kasambahay po ang inaasahan nating makikinabang sa sistemang ito.

Pinalawak din natin ang serbisyo ng Phil-Job.Net para sa epektibong paglalatag ng oportunidad sa ating mga kababayan. Ang dating 40,000 na bakanteng trabahong nakapaskil dito noong 2010, umabot na sa 100,000 ang monthly average buhat noong 2012. Habang ang mga rehistradong establisyamento naman, tumaas din mula 2,000 noong 2010 hanggang maging 30,000 na ito sa kasalukuyan.

Sa pagtutulungan naman ng DOLE, Deped, DSWD, DOH, DA, DILG at TESDA, pumaspas ang programa natin para palayain at protektahan ang nasa isandaang libong kabataan mula sa child labor. Sa kasalukuyan, bukod sa nagkaloob na tayo ng educational assistance sa humigit-kumulang 50,350 batang manggagawa, nabigyan din natin ng marangal na kabuhayan ang kanilang mga magulang.

Talaga naman pong nag-uumapaw ang tagumpay ng DOLE, at partial list lang po yung sinabi ko sa inyo. Di ko na iisa-isahin pa ang iba dahil baka abutin po tayo rito ng Noche Buena (laughter) nakakahiya naman kung papakainin pa niyo kami.

Patunay lang ang lahat ng ito sa dedikasyon ng DOLE na paglingkuran ang ating mga Boss, ang sambayanang Pilipino. Pinapatunayan ninyong sa sumisiglang ekonomiya ng bansa, ang maiiwan na lang ay ang mga ayaw sumama.

Bilang pinuno, ako naman po ay naniniwala: Marapat na bigyang pagkilala at parangal ang mga nagpapakitang-gilas sa serbisyo. Kaya naman ikinagagalak kong ianunsyo sa inyo ang isinagad natin at inaprubahang anniversary bonus na ten… (applause) wala pa ho yung amount, (laughter) eh ten lang ho sinabi ko, pwede na ho ba yung ten? (laughter) Di ho, 10,000 pesos (applause) para sa bawat empleyado ng DOLE. Nawa’y magsilbi itong insentibo at lalo pang magbigay-lakas ng bawat isa sa atin tungo sa katuparan ng ating mithiin.

Umaasa ako sa patuloy ninyong pakikiisa upang lampasan ng bayan ang bawat pagsubok. Sama-sama nating ihatid ang bansa tungo sa pangmatagalan at malawakang kaunlaran kung saan walang sinuman ang maiiwan.

Alam po niyo, ang minungkahi talaga ni Secretary Linda 20,000. Ang authorized ho kasi 3,000 maliban sa may exemption. Yung exemption ako raw ho ang nagkakaloob niyan. Sabi ko, eh ang naibigay na ho natin sa iba ay hanggang 10,000 sa anniversary bonus. Meron pa nga ho akong ni-reject eh dahil yung bonus nila napaaga sa anniversary. (laughter) Eh yung nag-o-authorize ho sa atin tuwing anniversary lang at saka milestone anniversary—ang definition po nun every five years. Gusto ko ho man lang, sa totoo lang ho magaan na magaan yun pagpirma ko nitong inyong anniversary bonus. (applause) Sa iba ho kasi medyo ang hirap sumayad nung (laughter) fountain

President Benigno S. Aquino III’s Speech during the 80th Founding Anniversary of the Department of Labor and Employment

“The PESOs in 2013 broke the record for jobseekers placed by placing 1,092,222 jobseekers to various jobs as of 31 October, exceeding the PESOs’ placement target of 1,025,574 by 6 percent. There is no doubt this is highly attributable to the number of PESOs that have been institutionalized.” —Secretary Rosalinda Dimapilis-Baldoz

Turn to page 8

DOLE Good News

�December 2013

DOLE Good News

� December 2013

On ILO’s Convention 189 and Batas Kasambahay

Decent work for kasambahay realized under Aquino III administration after struggle of 19 years; Batas Kasambahay is hallmark social legislation; will empower the estimated 1.93 million to 2.5 million domestic workers with better salaries, better work conditions, and humane treatment.

• The Philippines played a prominent role in championing the welfare and protection of domestic workers worldwide--estimated at 52.6 million--as seen in the adoption of the ILO’s Decent Work for Domestic Workers Convention, or C 189.

• C 189 adopted 16 June 2011 at 100th Session of the International Labour Conference; Philippines chaired the two-year double discussion on the Convention and Recommendations at the Committee on Domestic Workers.

• President Benigno S. Aquino III ratified the Convention on 18 May 2012; Senate concurred in the ratification on 6 August 2012; the Philippines was second to ratify, after Uruguay.

• Convention entered into force on 5 September 2013, a year after the deposit of the Philippine instrument of ratification with the ILO on 5 September 2012.

What Secretary Baldoz says:

“This is a rich reward and a happy culmination of our national collective effort to have this Convention approved at the ILO and then ratified for it to take effect. We thank President Aquino III and our Senators for giving our domestic workers the dignity they deserve. They will now be regarded as members of the formal labor sector, with general protection from abuse and exploitation and their contributions to our socio-economic development recognized.”

• On 18 January 2013, President Aquino III signed R. A. 1036, or the “Act Instituting Policies for the Protection and Welfare of Domestic Workers,” also called Batas Kasambahay. The DOLE championed the bill in the Congress of the Philippines.

• Considered the President’s ‘gift’ to all Filipino domestic workers--here and abroad--the Kasambahay Law took effect in 2013 after the DOLE and its partner agencies, namely, the Department of Social Welfare and Development, Department of Interior and Local Government, Philippine National Police, Social Security System, Department of Health, Philippine Health Insurance Corporation, or PhilHealth, and Home Development Mutual

Fund, or Pag-IBIG, signed its implementing rules and regulations on 9 May.

• On 5 December, the DOLE, Social Security

System, Pag-IBIG, and PhilHealth, announced the completion of the Unified Registration System (URS) for kasambahay and its availability for stakeholder and public use. Under the law, Pag-IBIG; PhilHealth; and Social Security System, or SSS, are mandated to jointly develop and implement the Kasambahay Unified Registration System, which adopts a standard and unified registration procedure to facilitate the seamless registration of domestic workers.

Secretary Baldoz says:

“After years of legislative struggle, we have marked a milestone in recognizing the need of our domestic workers for safe and healthful working conditions, decent employment and productive employment, and enhanced social protection. This landmark piece of social legislation for the rights and welfare of Filipino household service workers will undoubtedly contribute to the realization of inclusive growth.”

On Seafarers’ Safety, Welfare, and Protection

The MLC, 2006 is expected to provide protection to the approximately 400,000 Filipino seafarers deployed overseas, who comprise roughly 30 percent of the global maritime fleet, and to the almost 60,000 domestic seafarers.

• The Philippines became instrumental in the adoption of the Maritime Labor Convention, 2006 (MLC, 2006) and its entry into force.

• President Benigno S. Aquino III ratified the MLC, 2006 on 20 August 2012, ushering its entry into force one year later, on 20 August 2013. The Philippines was the 30th and final ILO-member ratifying state required for the Convention to enter into force.

• Known as the “international bill of rights of

seafarers,” the MLC, 2006 is the fourth pillar of international shipping, the other three being the International Convention on Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS), the Prevention of Maritime Pollution from Ships (MARPOL), and the Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping (STCW) Convention of the International Maritime Organization.

Secretary Baldoz says:

“The Philippines played an instrumental role in the adoption of the MLC, 2006 and its entry into force, which honors the world’s 1.2 million seafarers worldwide. The Philippines, through the Department of Labor and Employment, devoted all possible efforts to ensure that the MLC, 2006 is realized for this, indeed, guarantees the protection and welfare of all seafarers,

including local Filipino seafarers and Filipino seafarers manning more than a third of the world’s global shipping fleet at any given time.”

• After the MLC, 2006’s entry into force, the DOLE has moved swiftly to lay down the framework for the Philippines’s effective compliance with the Convention, through the following issuances:

(1) Department Order No. 132-13, Series of 2013, “Guidelines on Maritime Occupational Safety and Health”; Issued on 8 August 2013;

(2) Department Order No. 131-13, “Rules on Labor Laws Compliance System”; Issued on 19 July 2013;

(3) Labor Advisory No. 02-2013, Series of 2013, “Requirements for Compliance with Maritime Labour Convention, 2006”; Issued on 8 July 2013;

(4) Department Order. No. 130-A, Series of 2013, “Guidelines on the Authorization of Recognized Organizations to Conduct Inspection and Certification of Philippine-Registered Ships Engaged in International Voyages Pursuant to the Maritime Labor Convention, 2006”; Issued on 5 July 2013;

(5) Department Order No. 130, Series of 2013, “Rules and Regulations on the Employment of Filipino Seafarers Onboard Philippine-Registered Ships Engaged in International Voyages”; Issued on 7 June 2013; and

(6) Department Order No. 129, Series of 2013, “Rules and Regulations Governing the Employment and Working Conditions of Seafarers Onboard Ships Engaged in Domestic Shipping”; Issued on 7 June 2013.

What Secretary Baldoz says:

“The entry into force of the Maritime Labour Convention, 2006 underscores the need for all stakeholders to swiftly put into place the right balance between ensuring decent work for seafarers and securing fair competition and a level playing field for quality shipowners.”

“As a seafaring nation, we ought to move alongside our tripartite partners in the Maritime Industry Tripartite Council so that compliant shipowners and manning agencies are protected from undercutting by shipowners with substandard ships or who offer substandard benefits and working conditions to Filipino seafarers.”

“To strengthen our efforts in fully implementing the MLC, 2006 we need your cooperation and support in pushing for the passage of the magna carta for seafarers, and in the review of the POEA Rules and Regulations for the sea-based sector, in the context of MLC, 2006 and better protection for seafarers.”

On Child Labor

H.E.L.P. M.E., which President Aquino III tasked the Human Development and Poverty Reduction Cabinet Cluster to formulate, will contribute to the realization of the country’s ultimate Millennium Development Goal of eradicating poverty through decent work, says Baldoz

Secretary Baldoz says:

“I welcome the US DOL’s 2012 report for appreciating the efforts of the administration of President Benigno S. Aquino III in reducing and eliminating exploitative child labor, identifying the Medium-Term Philippine Development Plan, 2011-2016 as one of potent government policies in reducing the worst forms of child labor.”

“By 2016 we aim to have freed at least 75 percent of the 2.9 million child laborers in the country. We intend to vigorously implement H.E.L.P. M.E. through stronger cooperation among partners to ensure that this target is achieved.”

• As of 31 October, the DOLE’s Child Labor-Free Barangay Campaign has reached 11,573 children in 132 barangays all over the country.

• In these barangays, DOLE has activated 171 Barangay Council for the Protection of Children (BCPC). The BCPC delivers convergent programs and services to children, including livelihood support to parents to ensure they keep their children in school and away from child labor.

• At the national level, the new national convergence Plan, H.E.L.P. M. E., has been approved with a budget of P5 billion spread over three years, from 2014-1026. The DOLE’s share in the H.E.L.P. M. E. budget is P50 million for 2014; P100 million for 2015; and P150 million for 2016.

• On 26 September 2013, the report of the United States Department of Labor, “2012 Findings on the Worst Forms of Child Labor” cited the Philippines as one of 10 countries, out of 144, which “made significant advancement in efforts to eliminate the worst forms of child labor”, as well as H.E.L.P. M. E. to remove 893,000 children from hazardous child labor across 15,568 target barangays by 2016 through a convergence strategy that brings down the government’s child labor programs and services down the barangay level, the lowest echelon of governance in the country.

• The report observed that the goal of reducing child labor is already mainstreamed into the Labor and Employment Plan 2011-2016, the accompanying document of the Philippine Development Plan 2011-2016, and included in

the Millennium Development Goals 2000-2015; Education for All National Plan 2004-2015; Basic Education Reform Agenda, and the UN Development Assistance Framework 2012-2018.

On the Protection of Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs)

Agreements signed in 2013:

• “Memorandum of Agreement and Labour Cooperation Between the Government of the Independent State of Papua New Guinea and the Government of the Republic of the Philippines”; signed between H.E. Ambassador Christian Anthony Vihruri and Secretary Baldoz on 26 November 2013.

Secretary Baldoz says:

“The agreement will pave the way for stronger cooperation on matters relating to labor, facilitate labor market access and labor mobility, and enhance protection for some 30,000 OFWs in Papua New Guinea, in accordance with existing rules and regulations.”

• “Memorandum of Understanding Between the Department of Labor and Employment of the Government of the Republic of the Philippines and Her Majesty the Queen in the Right of the Province of Saskatchewan as represented by the President of the Executive Council”; signed by Secretary Baldoz and Premier Brad Wall of Saskatchewan, Canada on 7 October 2013.

The MOU seeks to implement (a) streamlined, efficient, and ethical recruitment practices in HR between the Philippines and Saskatchewan; (b) arrangements for skills training, upgrading, and mutual recognition; (3) mechanisms of monitoring OFW recruitment to Saskatchewan in third countries and protection under the laws; (4) transparent access of OFWs to justice system; and (5) support to integration, reintegration, and HRD programs.

Secretary Baldoz says:

“This is the first of a ‘new generation’ of agreements that incorporate HRD concerns and paved the way for three other MOUs with the Canadian provinces of Manitoba, British Columbia, and Alberta. It aligns with recent policy developments in both countries . . . This will open up more job prospects and provide better protection for OFWs in Saskatchewan.”

• “Agreement on Domestic Worker Recruitment Between the Ministry of Labor of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the Department of Labor and Employment of the Republic of the Philippines”; signed by Secretary Baldoz and Saudi Arabia Labor Minister Engineer Adel Bin Mohammed Fakeih on 19 May 2013.

The agreement, the first by Saudi with a country of origin of migrant workers, will benefit some 60,000 Filipino HSWs in Saudi Arabia, and thousands more who intend to work in the Kingdom.

Secretary Baldoz says:

“This agreement is ‘historic”. It heralds an era of stronger bilateral labor cooperation between Saudi Arabia and the Philippines for the better protection and welfare of HSWs in the Kingdom.

“We expect that this agreement will increase the number of HSWs employed in Saudi Arabia, but we are very confident that cases of abuse will be less because the agreement ensures fair and humane treatment of our HSWs and involves not only the government, but also the private recruitment agencies, and other stakeholders in its implementation.”

In October this year, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia’s Council of Ministers approved Resolution No. 310, or the Household Regulation on Service Workers and Similar Categories, which outlines the rights and obligations of migrant HSWs and their Saudi employers.

• “Agreement Concerning the Placement of Filipino Health Professionals in Employment Positions in the Federal Republic of Germany”; signed by POEA Administrator Hans Leo J. Cacdac and Director Monika Varnhagen of the German Federal Employment Agency/International Placement Services (BA/ZAV) on 19 March 2013.

Secretary Baldoz says:

“The conclusion of this agreement concerning the government-to-government placement of Filipino health professionals for temporary employment in Germany manifests the Philippine government’s firm commitment to provide for an orderly system for the recruitment of Filipino healthcare professionals . . . and to promote their welfare and protection, as well as well as to cooperate with Germany on the promotion and sustainability of HRD in the Philippines. These are elements in the joint management of migration that has a strong potential to contribute to a “triple win” for the workers, employers, and for the two countries.”

On 14 December, the first batch of health workers under the agreement, composed of four nurses, had left for Germany. Deployment of succeeding batches is expected starting January 2014.

2013 Milestones

� December 2013

DOLE Good News

�December 2013

DOLE Good News

Labor and Employment Secretary Rosalinda Dimapilis-Baldoz said the convergent Community-Based

Employment Program (CBEP), which the DOLE is tasked to monitor, had benefited 1,717,207 disadvantaged persons, including disaster victims, across the country’s 17 regions in terms of short-term jobs as of 10 December 2013.

“This is an initial rounded-up figure. More data on CBEP jobs generated during the year are expected from the government agencies under the program, so the final 2013 figure will be higher. We hope to surpass the 2,324,311 actual jobs generated under the CBEP in 2012,” said Baldoz.

As of 10 December 2013, the 1,717,207 CBEP-based infrastructure and non-infrastructure jobs generated jointly by government agencies are as follows: Department of Agrarian Reform (6,838); Department of Environment and Natural Resources (43,896); Department of Labor and Employment (212,388); Department of Public Works and Highways (144,216); Department of Social Welfare and Development (204,987); Department of Tourism (347); Department of Trade and Industry (1,466); Department of Transportation and Communication (1,044); Clark Development Corporation (402); Commission on Filipinos Overseas (103); and National Housing Authority (1,101,492).

Other agencies expected to report more CBEP jobs generated are the Departments of Agriculture; Education; Tourism; Foreign Affairs; Energy; and Health; People’s Credit and Finance Corporation; Intramuros Administration; Philippine Enterprise Zone Authority; Light Rail Transit Authority; Office Transportation Security; Philippine National Railways; Philippine Ports Authority; Commission

Report on 2013 CBEPMore than 1.7 million disadvantaged Filipinos hired under DOLE-monitored CBEP

on Filipinos Overseas; Landbank of the Philippines; Metropolitan Manila Development Authority; and National Youth Commission.

The preliminary 1,717,207 jobs generated as of 10 December 2013 consist of (a) 75.2 percent or 1,290,814 infrastructure jobs; and (b) 24.8 percent or 426,393 non-infrastructure jobs. The regional CBEP breakdown is as follows:

National Capital Region (NCR), 25,630 jobs generated (5,190 infrastructure, and 20,440 non-infrastructure); Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR), 24,283 (6,328 infrastructure, 17,955 non-

non-infrastructure); Region VIII, 42,009 (26,471 infrastructure, 15,538 non-infrastructure); Region IX, 108,633 (77,152 infrastructure, 31,481 non-infrastructure); Region X,117,514 (55,922 infrastructure, 61,592 non-infrastructure); Region XI, 66,555 (51,274 infrastructure, 15,281 non-infrastructure); Region XII, 41,385 (25,235 infrastructure, 16,150 non-infrastructure);CARAGA, 64,317 (16,667 infrastructure, 47,650 non-infrastructure); and ARMM, 31,073 (all infrastructure jobs).

The DOLE as chairman of the CBEP Steering Committee leads in coordinating and monitoring jobs generated by various agencies with enrolled infrastructure and non-infrastructure projects under CBEP through the CBEP Online Monitoring and Reporting System.

“The convergent, inter-agency Community-Based Employment Program is an effective avenue by which all major agencies of the Philippine government could respond, and in effect, help disadvantaged people stand back on their own feet,” said Baldoz.

Begun in 2011, the CBEP is a priority convergence programs aimed to contribute to the national goal of inclusive growth, poverty reduction, and job creation, particularly in the countryside, or the local community.

The CBEP is consistent with the overarching goal enunciated by President Benigno S. Aquino III, in his 22-point labor and employment agenda, to “invest in our country’s top resource, our human resource, to make us more competitive and employable while promoting industrial peace based on social justice,” by working “with relevant government agencies in enhancing social protection programs . . . while strengthening the Emergency Community Employment Program (ECEP) to create jobs immediately so people can still have income to spend for their basic needs.”

The CBEP has three components, namely: (a) Infrastructure projects that generate jobs through the construction of roads, bridges, flood control structures, school buildings, and water systems; (b) non-infrastructure projects covering social infrastructure like reforestation, coastal resource management, livelihood and self-employment undertakings/projects; and (c) emergency employment projects or income support endeavors that create short-term wage employment or self-employment in distressed/remote areas, especially those affected by calamities/contingencies.

The DOLE is ending the year 2013 with a modest, but bountiful harvest, of 58 private companies with

tripartite certification of compliance with labor standards.

Labor and Employment Secretary Rosalinda Dimapilis-Baldoz proudly said this as she congratulated the 58 establishments that have been awarded the Department of Labor and Employment’s (DOLE) Tripartite Certificate of Compliance with Labor Standards (TCCLS) in the latter part of the year after “very careful” tripartite assessment and verification.

“The 58 companies is a modest start, but they set the example as models of the DOLE’s new and vigorous pursuit of the best in voluntary compliance with the country’s labor standards. The value of the award lies in the fact that it was tripartite in nature, meaning, it’s the workers and their peers in the industry which decided on the award,” she said.

The TCCLS awardees cut across the major industries of the country, such as healthcare/hospitals, educational institutions, manufacturing (food, beverage, packaging, infrastructure, semiconductors and electronics, wiring harness) services, hotel and restaurant, agri-business, agriculture, wholesale and retail trade, power generation, transportation, electronic information processing services, mining, and construction.

2013 TCCLS scorecard: 58 models of voluntary labor law compliance

Baldoz congratulates Philippine industry awardees of tripartite certification The TCCLS constitutes the first level seal of good housekeeping issued by the DOLE through its regional offices to enrolled establishments that consistently comply voluntarily with labor standards. “The Award is bestowed upon deserving establishments that mirror excellence in voluntary labor standards compliance,” said Baldoz.

The TCCLS is instituted under Department Order No. 115-11, Series of 2011, otherwise known as the Guidelines in the Implementation of the Incentivizing

Moving steadily towards the development of a culture of voluntary compliance with labor

standards and occupational health and safety, the government remains upbeat in raising the bar of competitiveness and industry self-governance through the establishment of Voluntary Codes of Good Practices (VCGPs).

This was the statement of Labor and Employment Secretary Rosalinda Dimapilis-Baldoz as she bared that the number of tripartite Voluntary Codes of Good Practices, the DOLE-initiated reform on industry self-governance, has reached 108 in 2013.

A reform measure of the DOLE, the formulation and forging of VCGPs are based on Department Order No. 115-11, Series of 2011, or the Guidelines on the Implementation of the Incentivizing Compliance Program (ICP), which Baldoz issued on 6 May 2011.The National Tripartite Industrial Peace Council (NTIPC) supports the reform.

“The VCGPs formulated and adopted in various industries reflects the increasing

Promoting industry self-governance in 2013

DOLE brings PH voluntary codes of good practices to 108number of sectors and sub-sectors of the economy embracing the DOLE reform of fostering partnerships in labor governance towards developing industry-based approaches on self-regulation,” Baldoz said.

In 2013, 26 new VCGPs have been forged in the following industries: manufacturing, hotel and restaurant, and wholesale and retail in Cordillera Administrative Region; private hospitals and clinics in Region 2; mining, construction, school, hotel and restaurant in Region 3; sugar in Region 4-A; manufacturing in Region VIIl; academe and domestic shipping in Region 4-B; ITC manufacturing, ITC academe, and land transportation in Region 6; maritime in Region 7; bus transport in Region 8; maritime in Region 9; maritime, bus transport, and hotels, resorts, and restaurants in Region 10; and academe in Region 12.

The new industry codes sum up the latest count of VCGPs to 108.

The regions with the most number of VCGPs forged are Region 3, with 23; Region 10, with 10; National Capital

Region, with 8; and Regions 6, 8, and 12, with seven each.

The rest of the industry codes were adopted by industries in Regions 1 and 4-B, with six; Regions 4-A, 7, Caraga, and CAR with five each; Regions 9 and 11 with four each; Region 2 with three; Region 5 with two; and NCMB with one voluntary industry code at a national level.

The VCGPs established by the DOLE, in coordination with the regional offices and industry tripartite councils nationwide, cater to the followings industries: Banking, Aviation, Business Process Outsourcing (BPO), Bus Transport, Cargo and Logistics, Electronics and Semiconductors, farm-based industries like Abaca, Banana, Plantations, Pineapple, and Rubber, Fishing, Construction, Hospitals, Hotels and Restaurants, Information and Communications Technology (ICT), Maritime, Marine, Mining, Power and Electricity, Schools and the Academe, Sub-Contracting, Shipbuilding and Repair, Tourism and Eco-Tourism, and Wood-based industries.

Compliance Program (ICP). The Guidelines promote voluntary labor standards compliance with general labor standards, occupational safety and health standards, and the country’s Child Labor Law, Republic Act 9231, by giving due recognition and incentives to compliant establishments.

It is a basic pre-qualification requirement to the DOLE Secretary’s Labor Law Compliance Award and to the golden standard to voluntary labor standards compliance in the Philippines, the Tripartite Seal of Excellence.

DOLE-RO3 AWARDED TCCLS. DOLE-Regional Office No. 3 Regional Director Raymundo Agravante (7th from left) demonstrate the thumbs-up sign with representatives of eleven (11) companies that have been issued Tripartite Certificate of Compliance on Labor Standards (TCCLS) during the TCCLS awarding ceremony held at San Fernando, Pampanga. Joining the Regional Director are RTIPC Vice Chair for Labor Allan Del Rosario, Supervising LEO Yolanda Bugay, and other DOLE officials. (Photo by DOLE-RO3)

“The convergent, inter-agency Community-Based Employment Program is an effective avenue by which all major agencies of the Philippine government could respond, and in

effect, help disadvantaged people stand back on

their own feet.”

infrastructure); Region I, 83,112 (67,354 infrastructure, 15,758 non-infrastructure); Region II, 69,569 (53,248 infrastructure, 16,321 non-infrastructure); Region III, 453,982 (418,010 infrastructure, 35,972 non-infrastructure); Region IV-A, 335,656 (308,704 infrastructure, 26,952 non-infrastructure);Region IV-B, 29,878 (7,868 infrastructure, 22,010 non-infrastructure);Region V, 62,545 (40,120 infrastructure, 22,425 non-infrastructure);

Region VI, 102,165 (80,762 infrastructure, 21,403 non-infrastructure);Region VII, 58,054 (18,878 infrastructure, 39,176

Ang taong 2013 ay puno ng hamon at pagsubok, hindi lamang sa atin sa DOLE, kundi maging sa ating mga kababayan sa

Pilipinas at maging sa labas ng bansa.Nguni’t hitik rin ang taong ito ng biyaya,

tagumpay, at bunga ng ating pagsisikap na mabago ang takbo ng pamumuhay ng bawa’t Pilipino. Sa taong 2013 ay nakita natin ang pagsibol ng pag-asa na nag-uugat na ang ating sinimulan na mga reporma.

Kaya naman sa panahong ito ng Pasko, sa halip na panghinaan ng loob sa mga matitinding hagupit ng pagsubok na sumapit sa atin ngayong taon, higit kong pinagtutuunan ang maging maligaya sa pasasalamat sa Panginoong Diyos sa mga biyayang kaniyang ipinagkaloob sa bawa’t isa sa atin sa DOLE at sa mga kababayang ating pinaglilingkuran.

Lubos din ang aking pasasalamat sa inyo at sa inyong patuloy na suporta at pakikiisa sa ating pagsusumikap na makapaglingkod ng buong husay at tapat upang ating makamit ang sama-samang pag-unlad na siyang pambansang mithiin ng ating Pangulong Benigno S. Aquino III.

Ngayong Pasko, ang tangi kong hangad at dasal ay kapayapaan para sa bawat pamilyang Pilipino at para sa bansang Pilipinas; panibagong pag-asa para sa mga nakaranas ng siphayo; at ibayong biyaya para sa lahat ng mga Pilipinong manggagawa at mga namumuhunan sa bansa.

Harinawa ay patuloy ang pagpapala na ipinagkakaloob sa atin ng ating Poong Maykapal.

Maligayang Pasko at Masaganang Bagong Taon sa ating lahat!

ROSALINDA DIMAPILIS-BALDOZKalihim

Kagawaran ng Paggawa at Panghanapbuhay

pen, naalala ko ho yung mga accomplishments nila medyo manipis eh. Pero dito nga ho, sa totoo lang, gusto kong gawing 20, pero pag ginawa ko hong 20… (crowd cheering) Hindi ho, tama muna, iba yung gusto ko sa pwede. (laughter) Alam niyo kayo nagpapaalala kay Secretary Abad, hindi ba, syempre at saka ating ibang mga miyembro ng Gabinete, ibigay mo sa isa kailangan mo ibigay sa lahat. Eh yung lahat ho 1.6 million eh tapos 10,000 baka mag-overtime sina Chair Grace Tan ng COA. (laughter)

Kaya pagpapasensyahan na niyo baka dapat i-review natin yan pag talaga namang meritorious makahanap ng panibagong rule. So, pag tinitignan ko po ang DOLE, at ito po’y sa pagtatapos, una, pasalamatan ko ang ating dating Kalihim Benny Laguesma. Sa totoo lang po, siya ang inalok ko na maging Secretary of Labor, at (applause) that time hindi ho siya pwede, inirekomenda sa atin si Rosalinda Baldoz. (applause) Hindi ko po siya kilala sa simula’t sapul, hindi ko siya naka-trabaho sa anumang larangan. Si Danny pa yata nakatrabaho ko at one point in time. Pero sa totoo lang po, Benny, talagang napakaganda ng iyong advice, wala akong masasabi kay Linda kungdi paghanga. (applause)

Sa lahat po ng pinagdaanan talagang damang-dama kong kabalikat siya. Talaga hong palagay ko hulog sa akin ng langit si Linda na pwede namang kaliwa’t kanan ang ibigay sa aking problema bagkus kada may itatanong ako sa kanya halos nauuuna na iyong sagot bago sa tanong. (laughter/applause) Maski gaano kabigat ang problema po nandyan siya, hindi ho nasa likuran ko, nasa tabi ko

Pamaskong Mensahe ng Kalihim

kung minsan nasa harapan ko, (laughter) at handa hong harapin maski anuman. Talaga pong team player, wala na tayong masasabi kung hindi, Linda wala kang karapatan na magbitiw sa serbisyo (laughter) bago sa akin. (applause)

So ako po’y bababa sa puwesto June 30, 2016. Siguro pwede ka nang mahuli sa akin ng mga July 1. (laughter) Pero sa totoo lang nga ho yung hindi naman niya magagawa lahat kung hindi sa pagtutulungan, pagdadamayan ng buong pamilya ng DOLE. (applause) Pasensya na nga po ang pagtanaw ng estado ng pasasalamat ay naipapakita lang sa bonus—pasensya na medyo kakarampot, sana naging 12,000 man lang 1,000 a month. (laughter) Ang problema lang ho yung batas na nag-o-authorize ay 1990 whatever pa ho—3,000 lang ang nakalagay doon. Sabi ko, hanggang ganito na lang ba? Sabi, pwede nating ilagay hanggang plus 7,000. Sige kako, hanggang dito na lang ba talaga? (laughter) Pero yun na nga ho, ang sagad ho na naipagkaloob natin sa iba para pare-parehas naman, walang tampuhan ay 10,000. Pero pagbalik na pagbalik ko sa opisina kailangan papa-review na po natin kay ES, sa Chief Presidential Legal Counsel at saka Secretary of the Budget (applause) na baka pwedeng rebisitahin o bisitahin muli, rebisahin yung batas na nag-o-authorize sa pangulo sa pagdedeklara ng bonus. Palagay ko ho, maghahanap lang kaming ibang paraan para ipakita kung anong pasasalamat ng estado. Ulitin ko po: kayo po’y inaasahan ng sambayanan, palagay ko naman ho, dapat masabi ng sambayanan asahan ninyo sila.

Magandang araw po. Maraming salamat sa inyo. (applause)

President Benigno S. Aquino III’s Speech . . . from page 3