Super typhoon Yolanda survivor Ma. Kieth Lucinario was very thankful no one in her family was harmed during the rage of the storm surge in Tacloban. But the

aftermath of the catastrophe pushed her to look for immediate work to help rebuild her family’s home and small business.

“We lost our home, lost our means of living, and though we were left with nothing, we’re still happy and blessed that we survived this super typhoon. But I know that I have to step up and do what I can to help my parents rebuild everything they’ve worked for over the years,” Keith said.

The 25-year old lass remains close to tears whenever she recall her frightful experience together with her family during the wrath of Yolanda.

“It was around five or six in the morning of 8 November when the roaring wind woke me up. Water rushed into our house.In a split second, it was already knee-deep. A few seconds more the water reached chest-deep. We were trying to go out through the front door, but due to the strong current, we weren’t able to go out,” Keith lamented.

“We were trapped inside the house. Fortunately, my uncle remembered there was a ceiling access in our bathroom

Yolanda survivor, a Kampampangan, starts life anew with work at the DOLE

where we managed to climb our way through. We thought that we were already safe there, but water kept rising. My father was able to find a part of the roof which he could kick out, and luckily, we made our way through the rooftop to our terrace, listening to the roaring sound of the wind, witnessing flying debris and how the wind was tearing away the metal framing of our neighbor’s house right before our eyes. I saw how the storm surge destroyed our backyard. We waited for hours, praying and hoping that this nightmare would end,” she shared.

A daughter of a Waray father and Kapampangan mother, Keith joined her parents and took refuge in her grandfather’s home in Angeles City, Pampanga. Being a registered nurse, she visited the Department of Labor and Employment Regional Office No. 3 and pressed her luck to find a job.

“Ako po’y naglakas loob na lumapit sa DOLE dahil nalaman ko po sa radyo na mayroon silang mga patrabaho para sa mga nasalanta ng bagyo,” Keith said.

“Nag-iwan po ako ng resume at nagbakasakali na sana’y makahanap po ako ng kahit anong trabaho. Ako naman po ay nagagalak at inasikaso po ako nang maayos ng mga staff ng DOLE,” she added.

TYPHOON YOLANDA SURVIVOR NOW WORKS AT THE DOLE. Ma. Kieth Lucinario, a 25-years old registered nurse and typhoon survivor in Tacloban City, Leyte has found a new job after the Department of Labor and Employment Regional Office No. 3 (DOLE-RO3) hired her as an Administrative Staff under the DOLE Emergency Employment Program. She declares her being part of the DOLE family through a placard in this photo with (from L-R) DOLE-RO3 Regional Director Raymundo Agravante, Supervising LEO Yolanda Bugay and Assistant Regional Director Deng Panlilio.

Turn to page 7

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

� November 2013

DOLE Good News

�November 2013

VERSEAS CORNER

The Philippine Overseas Labor Offices (POLOs) in Riyadh and Jeddah, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, are taking in for shelter and assistance Filipinos from all

over Saudi Arabia who failed to correct their residency status after the extended deadline offered by the Saudi government ended on 3 November.

“Our POLO in Riyadh and Jeddah reported to the home office their readiness to shelter illegal Filipinos in the Kingdom, including OFWs, even as Saudi authorities announced there will be no more extension for the correction of status of illegal, or undocumented, workers despite requests for extension of grace period from the governments of India, Pakistan, Indonesia, Bangladesh, and the Philippines,” said Labor and Employment Secretary Rosalinda Dimapilis-Baldoz.

In his report to Secretary Baldoz, Labor Attache to Riyadh Rustico Dela Fuente said the situation in Saudi Arabia is normal a day after the deadline and there is no movement of OFWs to the Philippine Embassy and Consulate or to the POLOs.

Dela Fuente said that should there be an inflow, all seeking assistance shall be admitted to the POLO premises and will be provided all forms of assistance, including food and shelter, medication, and transport.

To reinforce POLO capability to ensure protection of and assistance to illegal Filipino nationals, Baldoz has ordered Undersecretary Danilo Cruz to sit down with the Overseas Workers

POLO shelters undocumented Filipinos after Saudi deadline on the correction of stay ends

Welfare Administration--insofar as livelihood and other employment-related benefits for active and inactive member-OFWs--as well as other DOLE agencies, and to come up with a P50 million supplementary budget for the needs of those who will be affected by the Saudi crackdown against illegal Filipinos.

“Our assistance for the repatriation of those who wish to go home are also continuing,” said Baldoz, stating that there are still 1,488 Filipinos awaiting clearance from the Saudi immigration before they can leave, while 206 Filipinos are presently sheltered at the Bahay Kalinga or Migrant Overseas Workers Resource Center.

The POLOs coordinate with the OWWA on all forms of assistance being given all repatriated illegal workers.

“As of 2 November, 727 Filipinos--428 women and 299 men--have already called up the Philippine Embassy asking inquiries for shelter. They may proceed immediately to the POLO,” Baldoz added.

She finally said the POLO in Riyadh and Jeddah continue to monitor the status of illegal Filipinos seeking to correct their work status and transfer of employment, and urging those who wish to seek assistance to call, fax, or email the Philippine Embassy/Consulate hotlines 483-2201 to 3 or 676-3868; fax nos.: 619-5223 or 483-2204; or e-mail at polo_riyadh@philembassy-riyadh.org; or poloriyadh2010@yahoo.com.

CITY OF SAN FERNANDO–Days before the DOLE’s upcoming 80th Founding

Anniversary, the Department of Labor and Employment Regional Office No. 3 has been awarded its ISO certification after months of rigorous and sleepless nights of preparation, documentation, and dry-run implementation of its Quality Management System (QMS).

DOLE Regional Director Raymundo G. Agravante reported to Labor Secretary Rosalinda Dimapilis-Baldoz that the DOLE Regional Office No. 3, in a simple awarding ceremony, formally received its ISO 9001:2008 certificates from Germany-based ISO-certifying body, DQS Holding GmbH.

Aside from the DQS, its affiliates in Germany, the UL Management Solutions Systems, and IQNET – The International Certification Network, also recognize the regional office’s ISO certification.

Agravante, together with Assistant Regional Director Geraldine Panlilio, on behalf of all Technical Division and Field Office heads and the entire DOLE personnel, accepted four (4) different ISO certificates from DQS Operations Manager Engr. Ernani Dayuta.

The regional office was granted its certification based on the results of the DQS’s Certification Audit, spearheaded by Eusebio Sanglap, Marlo Aquino, and Joe Alamares early last month at the regional office and its field offices of Bataan, Tarlac, and Pampanga.

DOLE Central Luzon is now ISO 9001:2008 Certified

Based on their findings, the DOLE’s top level Management System manual and related management system documentation were reviewed and found to conform with all applicable standard requirements for documentation. Only one minor non-conformity was immediately corrected.

Accordingly, the management system is generally found to be effective as it fulfills the requirements of the standard.

“We are thankful to the DOLE for giving us this opportunity to be part of this milestone. Rest assured that we will do our best to assist you, not only in the regional office, but the other field offices as well.”

Agravante, in his acceptance speech, thanked the DQS and entire DOLE

Family, especially the Data Control Custodians and process owners, and urged all of them to take proactive role for the continual improvement in the implementation of the DOLE’s programs and services in order to give quality service to its clients and partners.

“We are very thankful to each and every one of you. Your support and cooperation was instrumental for achieving this feat. But being ISO certified is only half the battle. We have to work hand in hand to sustain our ISO certification status by continuously improving what has already been improved in terms of our effective and timely delivery of our programs and services to our clients and partners,” Agravante said.

DOLE-CAR gains ISO 9001:2008 certification

DOLE CENTRAL LUZON NOW ISO-CERTIFIED. DOLE Regional Office No. 3 Director Raymundo Agravante (right) and some of the DOLE regional staff proudly display the Certificate of Registration to International Organization for Standardization (ISO 9001:2008) from German-based ISO certifying body for the region’s Quality Management System (QMS) in providing general government services.

DOLE-CAR GETS ISO-CERTIFIED. Department of Labor and Employment Cordillera Administrative Region (DOLE-CAR) Regional Director Henry John Jalbuena (4th from right) proudly receives the ISO 9001:2008 certificate for the DOLE-CAR from Certification International Philippines Managing Director Renato Navarrete (4th from left) during a simple awarding ceremony at the DOLE CAR Regional Office in Cabinet Hill, Baguio City. Also in photo are DOLE-CAR’s senior officials. (Photo by Lito Dar/PIA CAR)

Turn to page 6

BAGUIO CITY--The Department of Labor and Employment–Cordillera Administrative Region (DOLE-

CAR), together with its field offices in all the provinces in the region, has been bestowed with ISO 9001:2008 Quality Management System (QMS) certificate.

The feat makes the DOLE-CAR the third DOLE regional office to gain an international quality management system (QMS) certificate.

On Friday, 29 November 2013, Renato Navarrete, Managing Director of Certification International Philippines (CIP), handed down the certificate to Regional Director Henry John S. Jalbuena in the presence of the regional staff and the DOLE provincial heads of Abra, Apayao, Baguio-Benguet, Ifugao, Kalinga, and Mt. Province during a simple ceremony at the DOLE-CAR regional office conference hall.

Director Jalbuena expressed elation after receiving the ISO Certificate, thanking the staff for their combined and dedicated efforts to achieve the feat.

In a report to Labor and Employment Secretary Rosalinda Dimapilis-Baldoz, he said the full cooperation of the regional and field offices staff to improve the delivery of DOLE’s programs and services was instrumental in achieving the international recognition.

“I thank everyone in the DOLE-CAR for pulling together as a team, for exhibiting strong faith and trust on one another, and for knowing what to achieve,” Jalbuena said after accepting the ISO certificate.

DOLE Good News

�November 2013

DOLE Good News

� November 2013

Starting with 1,240 workers from 48 barangays in Ormoc City, the coverage of the DOLE’s emergency employment program rose to 2,760 worker-beneficiaries as 22 more barangays in the city, as well as 22 barangays in Tacloban City, have

availed of the program.Labor and Employment Secretary Rosalinda Dimapilis-Baldoz said this as she cited an

update report from Undersecretary Rebecca Chato, head of the DOLE’s Typhoon Yolanda Crisis Management Committee and in-charge of the DOLE Region 8 operation.

“The number of barangays in Ormoc City, with 30 workers hired per barangay, is now 70. In addition, we have started the program in 22 barangays in Tacloban covering a total of 660 workers. The total number of barangays is now 92 and worker beneficiries, 2,760,” said Baldoz.

In her report, Undersecretary Chato said personnel manning the DOLE Welfare Assistance Center both in the regional office and in the Ormoc City field office are profiling the workers for livelihood assistance, the next phase of the DOLE’s disaster response strategy, and enrolling workers’ children-students for another DOLE program, the Special Program for the Employment of Students, or SPES.

“We have P15.415 million for SPES in Region 8 for 2014, so we are already packaging this program,” said Baldoz.

With the earnest effort to jumpstart the DOLE’s emergency employment program barangay-by-barangay, Baldoz expressed confidence that the workers will speed up the clean-up of their respective communities. “Also with the minimum wage they will receive, they will have income support to start afresh,” Baldoz stated.

Baldoz said the DOLE, through Usec. Chato, continues to coordinate with the Departments of Interior and Local Government, Social Welfare and Development, and Public Works and Highways in the implementation of the emergency employment, particularly in areas where the bunkhouses will be built.

“Our approach is to assist LGUs with operational capabilities to undertake the emergency employment program. They need to have a work plan, indicating the number of workers they wish to hire, for how long, and what would they do. We will pay them the current daily wage of P260 for 15 days,” Baldoz said.

As to the workers who will be hired, Baldoz said she has ordered all implementing personnel to simplify and relax all requirements.

“All that workers need to do are such details as the name and date of birth. We will use this as basis for payroll and, in case of claim from the group accident insurance, forward the request to Government Service Insurance System,” said Baldoz.

“Our aim in implementing emergency employment and livelihood programs is to enable disaster-stricken families to rebuild their lives, with better access to social protection and sustainable income sources,” she said.

WORKERS CONFLICT AND CALAMITY-STRICKEN AREAS FIND RELIEF WITH DOLE’S ASSISTANCE

First phase of DOLE emergency employment program for Bohol earthquake victims with P3.2-M in funding benefits 600 workers

Tagbilaran City, Bohol –The first phase of the Department of Labor and Employment’s emergency

employment program for victims of the 7.2 magnitude Bohol earthquake, also called the BEEP 1, is off to a good start, with the award of a check worth P3.2 million to Bohol Governor Edgard M. Chatto.

“The first tranche of the Bohol Emergency Employment Program funds for the victims of the recent earthquake that badly hit Bohol was handed out to Gov. Chatto by Undersecretary Ciriaco Lagunzad III during the Bohol Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction Management Council (PDRRMC)–Shelter and Livelihood Cluster’s Meeting in Tagbilaran City,” said Labor and Employment Secretary Rosalinda Dimapilis-Baldoz.

“Six municipalities and 300 displaced workers will benefit from the first phase of the program. The workers will work for a minimum period of 15 days in government projects identified by the provincial government, and they will be paid the current minimum wage of P330 per day. The workers will also be covered by GSIS group insurance,” Baldoz added.

Lagunzad, who attended the PDRRMC-Shelter and Livelihood Cluster Meeting with DOLE Office No. 7 Regional Director

DOLE’s emergency employment continues to expand; now covers 22 Tacloban and 70 Ormoc barangays involving 2,760 worker-beneficiaries

DOLE turns-over P1.4 million in emergency employment and livelihood assistance to worker-victims of Zamboanga City conflict

Chona M. Mantilla and Bureau of Workers with Special Concerns (BWSC) Director Cha Satumba, said the P3.2 million includes the

DOLE’s cash counterpart for the Special Program for Employment of Students (SPES).

He further said that under the second phase of the program, or BEEP 2, about 3,0000 displaced workers in 10 badly-hit municipalities will be benefited.

The BEEP 2 is a combination of emergency employment and livelihood assistance, with the latter being called Restoration of Enterprises (ReEnter). It is funded with P17.5 million.

The third phase, or BEEP 3, will benefit about 800 displaced workers covering 16 areas that were covered by BEEP 1 and BEEP 2. This is a convergence project of the DOLE attached agencies and other partner line agencies under which through emergency employment and training cum production, the DOLE hopes to strengthen the recovery of the quake victims.

The training cum production component of BEEP 3 will be provided by the Technical Education & Skills Development Authority (TESDA).

Baldoz hopes that with the start of the emergency employment program in Bohol, disaster-stricken families will immediately have something to start their lives with a source of income and social protection for the most vulnerable.

▲ A PITCH FOR GOVERNMENT CONVERGENCE IN ASSISTING EARTHQUAKE VICTIMS. Department of Labor and Employment Secretary Rosalinda Dimapilis-Baldoz (standing) speaks on the need for all government agencies, stakeholders, and social partners to ensure the provision of relief assistance to the victims of the 7.2 magnitude Bohol earthquake during an official visit to the province. Baldoz met with Bohol Vice Governor Concepcion Lim (2nd, left) at the People’s Mansion in Tagbilaran City for briefing on rescue and rehabilitation efforts after the quake. Joining Secretary Baldoz are DOLE Regional Director Chona M. Mantilla (first, left) and International Labor Organization Manila Office Director Lawrence Jeff Johnson. (Gerry G.)

▼ EMERGENCY EMPLOYMENT FOR OIL SPILL VICTIMS. Labor and Employment Secretary Rosalinda Dimapilis-Baldoz awards a check amounting P735,000 to Cordova, Cebu Mayor Arleigh Sitoy as emergency employment grant for workers affected by the oil spill in the locality. The awarding is part of the Secretary’s activities during her recent regional visit to Cebu City and Bohol. Joining the Secretary is DOLE Regional Office No. 7 Director Chona Mantilla (right) and DOLE Cebu Provincial Head Grace Diaz. (Photo by DOLE RO 7)

◄ DOLE CONTINGENT TEAM GOES TO TACLOBAN. DOLE Undersecretary for Labor Relations Rebecca C. Chato (right, seated) meets with the members of the DOLE contingent team at the devastated DOLE Regional Office No. 8 to discuss an action plan for workers displaced by Typhoon Yolanda. The DOLE Regional Office No. 8 went back in operation on 18 November 2013. (Photo by DOLE RO 8)

► PUBLIC SERVICE INSPITE OF CALAMITY. DOLE Regional Office No. 8 Director Exequiel Sarcauga meticulously collates current data pertaining to DOLE employees and their properties affected by Typhoon Yolanda. The DOLE regional office in Tacloban has been destroyed during the Typhoon. Two DOLE personnel were killed while another is missing during the super typhoon.

Labor and Employment Secretary Rosalinda Dimapilis-Baldoz awarded a check of P1,468,098.42 to Zamboanga City Mayor Ma. Isabelle Climaco representing the DOLE’s bottom-up budget (BUB) for emergency employment

to victims of the recent Zamboanga City conflict. “The amount is part of the P5 million in BUB funds which we have allocated for

Zamboanga for the implementation of its Livelihood and Emergency Employment Program for Displaced Workers,” said Baldoz, who was accompanied during her official visit to Zamboanga City by Undersecretary for Social Protection Ciriaco Lagunzad III and DOLE Regional Office No. 9 Director Sisinio Cano.

The amount of P1.4 million represents the salaries and wages of the second, third, and fourth tranches of the emergency employment, which will benefit 60 displaced workers per tranche, or a total of 180 workers. They will be hired with a minimum wage of P280 per day for 15 to 30 days to do repair work on government facilities, such as school buildings, health clinics, and barangay halls. They will be tasked to also help in food preparation and cleaning maintenance in evacuation centers.

Earlier, the DOLE regional office has released P989,240, also in emergency employment funds, for 106 workers displaced in the fishing and fish canning industry.

The DOLE regional office had also allocated earlier P489,440 for the first tranche of the livelihood program, consisting of livelihood starter-kits, which is another component of the Livelihood and Emergency Employment Program for Displaced Workers under the DILP.

The livelihood starter kits, which will benefit 46 worker-beneficiaries, contain tools for sewing, carpentry, food preparation, and baking.

“The livelihood program will be complemented by training in production and skills training and upgrading,” explained Director Cano.

In her remarks during the awarding of the emergency employment funds, Baldoz urged DOLE regional officials and its partners to strengthen their cooperation in the implementation of the emergency employment program to provide effective temporary source of income to Zamboangeños, especially those living in the crisis-stricken areas.

“Our goal here is to provide our displaced workers immediate relief from the calamity by opening up opportunities to earn, and at the same time, enlist them for the rehabilitation of their affected communities,” said Baldoz.

The livelihood and emergency employment programs respond to Item No. 8 in the President’s Social Contract with the Filipino People which calls for veering away “from government anti-poverty programs that instill a dole-out mentality to well-considered programs that build capacity and create opportunities among the poor and the marginalized”.

These programs also respond to the Social Protection Chapter of the Labor and Employment Plan 2011-2016 which spells out the strategy of strengthening the community-based employment program, particularly the emergency employment component to create jobs that provide income to vulnerable workers and their families.

� November 2013

DOLE Good News

�November 2013

DOLE Good News

To preserve Badjao culture, generate jobs, provide income, and restore self-esteem, Labor and Employment Secretary Rosalinda Dimapilis-Baldoz instructed the regional

coordinating council composed of various DOLE agencies and headed by DOLE Regional Office No. 9 Regional Director Sisinio Cano to work-out a convergence program for the promotion and establishment of tepoh, the Badjao’s traditional mat-weaving, into sustainable and environment-friendly enterprises.

Visiting the Extension Services Department of the Western Mindanao State University on R.T. Lim Boulevard in Zamboanga City where 27 Badjao women are undergoing a ten-day training on mat-weaving organized by the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority-Regional Office No. 9, Secretary Baldoz noted that the unique colors and make of the woven mats on display at the training center open an opportunity for the craft to become a job- and income-generating livelihood for indigenous Badjao women, particularly those who were displaced by the September 2013 conflict in the city.

“I see a good future for these mat weavers,” said Baldoz, referring to the 27 women, the second batch of trainees, the TESDA and the Department of Social Welfare and

For Badjao women displaced by Zamboanga City conflict DOLE urges expanded convergence program to revive traditional craft of mat-weaving as sustainable, green enterprise

Development, in cooperation with WMSU, has organized immediately after the armed conflict was resolved.

“These Badjao women are mostly from Rio Hondo and Cawa-cawa, two of the most-heavily affected areas. They were displaced and have

nowhere to go so we are training them to earn a livelihood,” said Lorenzo Macapili, TESDA No. 9 Regional Director.

In October, the TESDA trained for 10 days the first batch of 27 Badjao women from the same areas. All in all, the TESDA has spent P100,000 for the training. “We are now in the planning stage to organize the first batch of trainees as a community-based enterprise,” said Director Macapili, who said the DSWD purchased the products of the first batch of mat weavers.

Jumjura Arasain and Liza Ailajun, the two community-based trainors TESDA has contracted to conduct the training, informed Secretary Baldoz that the craft of mat weaving could flourish if the standard quality of the products is improved.

They also informed her that the raw material for the tepoh or mat, which comes from pandan plant, is difficult to obtain. Thus, Baldoz instructed Director Cano to coordinate with the Department of Agriculture in the formulation of the convergent program so it could provide support to pandan propagation.

“We could encourage the menfolk of the Badjao women, or any one for that matter, to plant pandan so there will be a steady source of pandan leaves. Pandan-planting could be another job-generating enterprise,” said Baldoz, who also asked the TESDA to schedule the next training for the Badjao women on product design to improve the product’s market access and acceptability.

She also instructed the Bureau of Workers with Special Concerns (BWSC) Director Ahmma Charisma Lobrin-Satumba to include the mat-weaving enterprise of the Badjao women in the Gender and Development (GAD) program of the DOLE, which aims to mainstream gender concerns in its policies, programs, and projects.

“The mat weaving project of the Badjao women evacuees is an affirmative action for disadvantaged women to equip them with the necessary skills for livelihood so that they will have sufficient income for their families,” said Baldoz.

“But we must be consistent. We must monitor their progress and do proper documentation to show our people the transformation that happens through every DOLE program or project,” she finally said.

Assistant Regional Director Geraldine Panlilio, interviewed Keith and reviewed her credentials. Without delay, her application was endorsed to DOLE Regional Director Raymundo Agravante for approval.

“Not for charitable reasons, but I believe Keith had the desire and eagerness to work. Just in time, she has the credentials that we were looking for in our Technical Division which handles occupational safety and health programs. At trying times like this, opportunity is all what determined people like her need,” Panlilio said.

In barely a week of waiting, Lucinario was hired as an Administrative Staff, with

an immediate on-the-job training at the Technical Support and Service Division for Labor Relations and Labor Standards of the regional office.

Shedding tears of joy, Keith expressed her warmest thanks to the DOLE and ensured that she will do her best in her new job.

“Despite the ordeal we just gone through, I am fortunate that the DOLE was here to give me a new opportunity in life. I believe that there are people who are willing to help without any hesitation. I am so overwhelmed with the opportunity you all gave me. Asahan po ninyo na gagawin ko ang lahat ng aking makakaya para makapagsilbi ng maayos sa publiko,” Keith blissfully shared.

Yolanda survivor . . . from page 1

Labor and Employment Secretary Rosalinda Dimapilis-Baldoz knows a best practice

when she sees one, and in the DOLE’s Angel Tree Project to save child laborers, her recent experience in Koronadal tells her it could be a model for other provinces and cities to emulate.

The labor and employment chief went to the provincial capital of South Cotabato as a guest of the DOLE Regional Office No. 12’s Social Partners’ Forum cum Fund Raising for Typhoon Yolanda Victims, during which she awarded 30 child laborers their wishes so they will not return to child labor.

The 30 child laborers--10 from Sarangani Province; five from Cotabato City; five from Gen. Santos City; five from Sultan Kudarat; and five from North Cotabato--have been “matched” with sponsors who granted their wishes, which now makes their transition from child labor to school--and onto the future--much brighter and sure.

Their wishes ranged from farm animals to bicycles to Christmas noche buena food to toys and school supplies. One wished to see his father again. Another wished for the completion of the ceiling of their house so they would not get wet during the rainy days.

One of the child laborers, Charrie Ann Bolido, 13 years old, of Barangay Tibpuan, Lebak, Sultan Kudarat, dreams of becoming a teacher.

Each of them wrote their wishes on a paper star, which the DOLE used to adorn a huge Christmas tree on display at the forum venue.

During the awarding, Secretary Baldoz luckily plucked from the Christmas tree the star of Roberto Pepulido, a child laborer from Purok Hillside, Barangay Roxas, Sto. Nino, South Cotabato, who wished for a carabao.

When she announced that Roberto’s wish has been granted, courtesy of pineapple producer Dole Philippines, applause erupted from the audience, and Roberto was teary-eyed.

A farm laborer and animal caretaker, Roberto started working at age 12. His father died when he was still a toddler, and was left to the care of an aunt. He managed to enter Grade 1, but does not know how to read and write.

“I am going back to school and the carabao I received will be a big help in our farm and in hauling heavy load,” he joyfully said.

Project Angel Tree best practice benefits 30 child laborers in Region 12’s 2 cities and 3 provinces

He also wished that his aunt could have her own small food business during harvest time, so the family will have additional source of income. Dole Philippines also granted this wish.

According to DOLE Regional Office No. 8 Director Ofelia Domingo, Childfund Philipines, a partner of the DOLE, sponsored and granted the wishes of the five child laborers from North Cotabato who are all sugarcane farm workers before they were “rescued” from the menace and returned to school.

“They faced the hazard and risk of cuts and injuries from the use of sharp tools in sugarcane farm work. They also were prone to allergies and rashes from sugarcane trichomes, sun burn due to long exposure from sunlight, and inject bites,” said Director Domingo.

“It is very remarkable that education tops the priorities of these children,” she added.

The DOLE and Childfund Philippines now work hand-in-hand to support the children’s schooling and livelihood and skills training of their parents.

One of the five North Cotabato child laborers, Mel Joy B. Pedroso, 13, from Purok Altavista, New Rizal, Mlang, has been a sugarcane farm worker since she was nine years old. She now sports a new bicycle and wears new shoes and school uniforms.

Baldoz, who was very generous in her praise for the sponsors of the child laborers’ wishes, said that the elimination of child labor is not the government’s work alone.

“I thank all of you for being a Project Angel Tree sponsor. School is really the place for children, not the farm or the factories,” she said, as she encouraged the 30 children to stay in school no matter what. She also commended the DOLE

Regional Office No. 8, led by Director Domingo, for the innovative strategy of asking child laborers their wishes and looking for sponsors to grant them.

“This is a best practice that other regions must look into and emulate,” she said, noting that in the past, Project Angel Tree implementers only gather donations of school supplies and distribute it to child laborers, not bothering to ask them if these are really what they wish for.

DOLE-CAR receives . . . from page 3

“What makes this achievement doubly significant is our being able to prove to ourselves that we can do it despite all odds. After months of hard work, this certification is not the end but the beginning of another journey towards customer satisfaction and continuing process of service improvement. This recognition poses a challenge to all of us to perform and deliver our functions in the best possible way we can to serve the DOLE’s clients, even those in the far-flung areas,” Jalbuena added.

The DOLE-CAR was certified to conform to the International Quality Standard ISO 9001:2008 for its continuing strategic program geared towards improving service delivery by ensuring

transparency, accountability, efficiency and effectiveness in operations.

The scope of the certificate includes the provision of employment facilitation services, provision on livelihood assistance, settlement of labor disputes and issuance of certificates, permits and licenses and general administrative support.

Jalbuena stated that achieving the ISO certification is a milestone in the DOLE-CAR’s long journey in the pursuit of customer satisfaction.

ISO 9001:2008 is an internationally-recognized Quality Management System (QMS) standard implemented by over a million organization in about 170 countries. The QMS standard key principles are based on customer focus and customer satisfaction; leadership; involvement of

people; process approach; system approach to management; continual improvement; factual approach to decision making; and mutually-beneficial supplier relationship.

Baldoz commended the DOLE-CAR for its feat, saying the certification poses greater commitment from officials and staff to sustain their enrolled processes under the QMS.

“Your real challenge is how to further translate your ISO certification into action that can be felt by your clients and partners. Being the third regional office to achieve the international standards of quality service calls for continuous improvement of your programs and services for efficient and timely delivery, especially to workers in grassroots,” Baldoz said.

Joint Press Statement on the Unified Registration System (URS) for Kasambahay

e, the Department of Labor and Employment, Social Security System, Pag-IBIG, and PhilHealth, are pleased to announce the

completion of the Unified Registration System (URS) for kasambahay and its availability for stakeholder and public use.

“As we all know, President Benigno S. Aquino III signed on 18 January 2013 the Kasambahay Bill into law, which has been described as the most fitting gift of the government to over 2.9 million Filipino domestic workers.

“The law fulfils the country’s obligation to enact a national legislation in compliance with the International Labor Organization’s Convention 189 which sets new international standards for the protection of household helpers.

What is now known as Republic Act 10361, or “An Act Instituting Policies for the Protection and Welfare of Domestic Workers,” institutionalizes the provision of a comprehensive package of benefits to Filipino household service workers, including their entitlement to 13th month pay; service incentive leaves; and social welfare benefits.

“Under the law and its Implementing Rules and Regulations, the government’s social security agencies, namely, Home Development Mutual Fund (Pag-IBIG); Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth); and Social Security System (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 transactional environment for the registration of domestic workers.

“The implementation of a URS for kasambahay, as required by the law, is part of the government’s efforts to enable kasambahay and their employers easy, inexpensive, and timely access to a seamless registration system of the Pag-IBIG, PhilHealth, and SSS for their health and other social service benefits.

“There will be only three one-page forms to be used with the URS in effect. These forms are the Household Employer Unified Registration Form, Kasambahay Unified Registration Form, and the Household Employment Unified Report Form.

“In effect, under the URS, employers and their kasambahay will only need to register in any one of the agencies. The three agencies will share the data and issue their respective membership identification numbers to the registrants. The registration is the proverbial ‘three-in-one’.

“The unified forms consolidate all the personal information of the registrants that are common and pertinent to the said agencies and are available for free at all branches/service offices of the said agencies. The forms can also be downloaded from their respective websites.

“Under the system, the three agencies shall continue to maintain their respective ID numbering system, which means the employer and the

kasambahay will be issued three different ID numbers until such time that a common ID issuance system is developed and adopted.

“With the completion and deployment of the URS, we reiterate our commitment towards combined and determined efforts in maintaining the standards and encouraging compliance with the social security benefit provisions of the law; to facilitate and streamline registration and facilitation processes through further refinement of the Kasambahay URS which would ultimately lead to household employers and domestic workers availing of our services and other programs wherever they are and at their own free time.

“We are also committed to continue exchanging and sharing data and information, such as, but not limited to, the record or list of Household Employers and Domestic Workers for the establishment of a Standard Data Directory that will map the databases of Pag-IBIG, PhilHealth, and SSS.

“Immediately after its deployment, we shall conduct a joint campaign to promote the URS, particularly to enhance awareness among the household employers and domestic workers on the uniform guidelines and compliance with the registration of employers and kasambahay.

“W

poster ad: PagIBIG