DOLE conducts 3rd Kapihan at Balitaan session with industry partners

The Department of Labor and Employment conducted its 3rd Kapihan-Balitaan

Session with its industry partners on 19 November 2014 at Midas Hotel, Pasay City. The theme of the said Session focused on trends in construction industry.

The Kapihan at Balitaan Session is a convergent program of the Labor Communications Office (LCO) and Bureau of Local Employment (BLE) which serves as a media news forum on specific industry trends and prospects.

“The Kapihan at Balitaan Session serves as an avenue to exchange views and solicit feedback on recent industry developments and issues. It is an integral step in disseminating up-to-date labor market information (LMI) and strengthening government and

industry partnership,” DOLE Secretary Rosalinda Dimapilis-Baldoz said.

Different industry associations and government agencies were represented in the Session to shed light on the status of their specific group in the country. Together with DOLE Secretary Baldoz, OIC-Assistant Secretary Katherine B. Brimon, BLE Director Dominique R. Tutay, and LCO Director Nicon F. Fameronag are panel discussants which include Assistant Director Kathleen P. Mangune from the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) and Delfin J. Wenceslao Jr., President of the Philippine Constructors Association (PCA).

“DOLE engages industries identified as key employment generators (KEGs) in the recently published JobsFit Labor Market Information Report 2013-2020 through these series of Kapihan-

Balitaan sessions. It is essential for the government to engage industry groups in the field of construction to boost employment and provide signals for the academe and jobseekers. This is also a way for us to give recent updates on trends in the construction industry,” DOLE Assistant Secretary Brimon said.

The 3rd Kapihan at Balitaan Session also drew participation from various media platforms in the country.

“This meeting promotes coordination and synergy between the government and industry sector... it is a key element in information exchange”, Director Tutay said. “Continued talks with our industry partners help us in validating our reports and studies,” she added.

One last Kapihan Sessions on Health and Wellness sector is expected to be conducted by the end of 2014.

Secretary Baldoz briefs the media on trends in the construction industry during the 3rd DOLE Kapihan at Balitaan session in Pasay City. Joining the Secretary in the speakers’ panel are (L-R) Phil. Constructors Assn. Pres. Delfin Wenceslao Jr., NEDA Asst. Dir. Kathleen Mangune, OIC-Asec. Katherine Brimon, BLE Dir. Dominique Tutay, and LCO Dir. Nicon Fameronag.

DOLE Good News

2 November 2014

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EditorNICON F. FAMERONAG

Director, LCO

Associate EditorCATHERINE MARIE E. VILLAFLORES

Staff WritersCELESTE T. MARING

HAZEL JOY T. GALAMAYMA. VERONICA R. ALMAZORA

Graphic ArtistGREGORIO I. GALMAN

PhotographerJOMAR S. LAGMAY

Circulation ManagerGIRLIE MARLYN E. ARCE

Contributing Regional Writers

DIANA JOYZ ESGUERRA - NCR

JULIENNE FORTUNATO - CAR

ARLY S. VALDEZ - Region 1

REGINALD B. ESTIOCO - Region 2

JEREMIAH M. BORJA - Region 3

FRANZ RAYMOND AQUINO - Region 4A

ROSEMARIE CAMPOS - Region 4B

RAYMOND P. ESCALANTE - Region 5

AMALIA N. JUDICPA - Region 6

LUCHEL TANIZA - Region 7

MELDY TABANAO - Region 8

GAY IRIS TANGCALAGAN - Region 9

MILDRED E. DABLIO - Region 10

SHERWIN B. MANUAL - Region 11

MICHELLE T. OLOG - Region 12

IRIS C. ASIS - Caraga

DOLEGood News

he Philippine government’s platform of inclusive growth has put the human

resource base as the core of all policy reform initiatives. The government is committed to helping students and jobseekers find jobs”, Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) Undersecretary Reydeluz D. Conferido said as he delivered the keynote message of Secretary Rosalinda Dimapilis-Baldoz during the awarding ceremony in Bataan.

The Provincial Government of Bataan, in partnership with the Servicio Filipino Inc. (SFI) Group of Companies and American College

DOLE supports International Career Readiness Certificate awarding ceremony in Bataan

(Above) DOLE Usec. Reydeluz Conferido (2nd from right), pose with Provincial Government of Bataan, Servicio Filipino Inc. Group of Companies and American College Testing officials during the International Career Readiness Certificate awarding ceremony in Bataan. Left photo shows some of the 322 junior high school students who were awarded with International Career Readiness Certificates (ICRCs). The ICRC is a globally-recognized credential that measures workplace skills of students.

Testing, conducted the International Career Readiness Certificate (ICRC) Awarding Ceremony in Balanga City, Bataan on 11 November 2014 with the theme, “The Youth of Bataan: Our Present Day Heroes”.

The ICRC is a globally recognized credential that measures essential wokplace skills. From January to March 2014, SFI and ACT conducted a K-12 KeyTrain Curriculum Efficacy Study of selected 3rd year high school students from the 12 municipalities of Bataan. Three hundred twenty two students from Bataan received the ICRC, making them the first in the Asia-Pacific region to receive such credential.

“To the youth present today, I urge you to pursue and take advantage of programs like this one... Prove to the whole world that the Philippines has competent workers and tremendous talent… Prove that we can learn, be up-skilled, and adapt to the demands of the changing world”, Undersecretary Conferido said as he urged the youth of Bataan to explore wide-ranging opportunities that match their skills and inclinations.

The awarding ceremony was attended by local chief executives from the Province of Bataan, officials from DOLE and the Department of Education (DepEd), and students who received the ICRC.

“T

DOLE Good News

3November 2014

The Board of Directors of the Networks of Career Guidance Advocates of the Philippines

(NCGAP), Inc. expressed their continued support to the Department of Labor and Employment’s (DOLE)commitment on the promotion of decent and gainful employment for all Filipino workers, especially the youth. The Board convened for their 2nd Semestral Meeting on 27-28 November 2014 in Cebu City.

DOLE, through its networks of career guidance advocates across the country, conducts regular career guidance to the youth, particularly the high school and higher education students, technical-vocational trainees, and their parents and guardians.

“Occupational and labor market information (LMI), along with guidance and counseling foundation, are key elements to good career guidance. Their relevance is emphasized by DOLE as it seeks to address the perennial issue of job-skill mismatch in the country. We are proud to stand in support of DOLE’s continued efforts on this matter”, said Dr. Bonifacio N. Mercado, Jr., NCGAP, Inc. President.

The Career Guidance and Employment Coaching (CGEC) program, in addition to Career Advocacy Congresses and other advocacy activities, as well as career guidance-related media events being held regularly, is another commitment of DOLE to the larger, national Career Guidance Advocacy Program (CGAP) which aims to immerse parents and students on the realities of the labor market, through good career guidance

Career Guidance advocates continue DOLE support in addressing job-skill mismatch

services and enhanced delivery of LMI, and also convince the country’s guidance counselors and career guidance advocates to take part in the Philippine government’s advocacy on job-skill matching. CGAP is an inter-agency initiative being chaired by DOLE, with member-agencies consisting of the Department of Education (DepEd), Department of Science and Technology (DOST), Commission on Higher Education (CHED), Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA), and Professional Regulation Commission (PRC).

“In our pursuit to address job-skill mismatch, we strive to enhance the quality of career guidance services being provided to the youth. As such, CGECalso offers regular capacity building activities for the guidance counselors and other career guidance advocates across the country,” said Ruth R. Rodriguez, Chief Labor and Employment Officer of BLE. “While we try to make our youth discover and develop their psychological, educational, vocational, and professional potentialities, and eventually achieve an optimal level of personal welfare and social usefulness, we also want our partners – the frontline providers of career guidance – develop their skills and achieve growth in their professions and vocations. We seemingly hit two targets with the CGEC program,” she ended.

The Officers of the Board of Directors of the NCGAP, Inc. were elected during the PRC’s Capacity Building Seminar-Workshop for Career Advocates, on 13 September 2013. The Board has been

organized to oversee all the activities of NGCCAs all over the country.

The recently held 2nd Board Meeting has convened the Board’s officers in a planning session which discussed the crafting of the group’s constitution and by-laws, and strategies on future ventures of the group, in partnership with DOLE, that would help increase the membership and equip current members of the NGCCAs with knowledge and skills on effective career guidance for their respective clients.

The officers signed their first resolution requesting CHED to promote the implementation of quality guidance and counseling staff development by institutionalizing the Master’s in Guidance and Counseling scholarship program as one of the Commission’s priority courses/disciplines in the graduate level program.

The networks serve as firsthand allies in the implementation of DOLE’s career guidance activities. To date, there are 107 networks of career guidance advocates across the country with a total membership of 5,278.

The networks are composed of guidance counselors and practitioners and other private and public individuals from other national government agencies (NGAs); non-government organizations (NGOs) and civic groups; and industry, employer and worker groups who stand by the CGAP’s advocacy of guiding the youth, especially the students, to discover their interests, know possible career paths, and be acquainted with LMI and its sources.

Photo: balita.com.ph

A Career Guidance coach emphasizes to high school students the value of choosing a career wisely to address the perennial issue of job-skill mismatch in the country.

4 November 2014

DOLE Good News

Before we bid farewell to 2014, the Human Resource Development Service (HRDS) has managed to

achieve its target on HRD Compliance Check, completing a total of four DOLE Regional Offices for its first year of implementation.

The task was carried out by the HRDS’s diligent staff together with the Internal Audit Service. A team composed of four members proceed to Regional Offices 4-B, 6, 7 and 8 as scheduled to perform audit on three major HR areas: records management, systems and programs, and competencies of HRMOs.

This activity, which is in keeping with the Civil Service Commission’s Program to Institutionalize Meritocracy and Excellence in Human Resource Management (PRIME-HRM), will aid in improving the DOLE operations through delivering efficient, effective, and transparent programs and services to its clients.

“We have adopted another mechanism that will look at how the HR programs and policies, specifically in the HRDS key functions, are being implemented at the RO level,” said OIC-Assistant Secretary and HRDS Director Katherine B. Brimon. “Consistency in implementation is very important not only because we are eyeing for excellence but because we are advocating for good governance. HRD Compliance Check enables us to see if the standards we have set as provided in the issuances we have crafted are being observed as it should be. If there

Four regional offices undergo HRD compliance check

are gaps and lapses, we can help the ROs curb the errors by providing handy solutions,” she explained.

But HR Compliance Check or HR Audit, in a nutshell, is a laborious task. The process involves several stages before it could reach the final. Work entails mastery of the systems, critical and precision thinking, attention to details, and sound moral character.

Competent to do the job, the Team successfully traverse every process. They reviewed every document such as 201 files, Leave Cards, Service Records, Daily Time Records (DTRs), etc. Briefing on the coverage of the activity prior the five-day audit was provided to concerned ROs officials and personnel to apprise them on the purpose of their field visit. Interview of key people was also conducted to obtain actual narration on how they go about in implementing HR major programs and services.

Having sufficient information ready, HRD Compliance Report was composed and presented to the RO Management Committee during Exit Conference, laying emphasis on the findings as well as the recommendations on areas needing improvements. The report shall then serve as a blueprint from where the RO will base their actions.

“We are glad to have finally done this. Although this is our first, we made sure

that we will do it right the first time. The HR Team went over the manuals, policies and guidelines to make sure they are equip with accurate information as they do their assessment in the ROs. They were thorough in reviewing and analyzing data, even scrutinizes inconsistencies noted. The gravity of the task is clear to them. They all understand that the HR audit findings and the recommendations we give to ROs are critical in institutionalizing excellence in human resource management,” said Brimon.

All the ROs visited have been very cooperative althroughout. They acknowledged the findings and welcomed suggestions for improvement. In the report submitted by the Team who visited RO 6, OIC Assistant

Regional Director Salome O. Siaton affirmed the observation and had given assurance that they will comply with the recommendations.

“It should not be forgotten that as strategic partner of offices, the quality of our work as HR practitioners is a factor in delivering effective, efficient and transparent DOLE programs and projects to the clients we serve. Identifying and addressing gaps and lapses in HR programs and services this early will accelerate our move to a better functioning HR that will ultimately

impact DOLE operations in general. With the results of the HR Audit this year, we are certain that this will continue in the coming years,” she concluded.

Winnie Peregrino (left), of the Human Resource Development Service-DOLE Central Office, together with the Internal Audit Service team, briefs a regional office’s staff on HRD compliance check during one of their regional visits.

DOLE Good News

5November 2014

DOLE Good News

Persistent to its endeavour of transforming HR as DOLE strategic partner in the attainment

of its vision, the Human Resource Development Service (HRDS) has initiated another program that will make learning and development intervention at par with the global practices. In partnership with the Planning

Service, 23 participants from the DOLE Services, Bureaus, and Attached Agencies were sent to attend the Training Workshop on the Development of DOLE e-Learning Program that started on 22 November 2014 at the UP Information Technology Development Center (ITDC), Vidal A. Tan Hall UP-Diliman, Quezon City.

The 10-day training course on Tech-nology Integration in Education and Moodle Administration will bring in acumens on online education, instruc-tional design/materials preparation, and Moodle operation.

OIC-Assistant Secretary and HRDS Director Katherine B. Brimon said that this is just another step towards the fulfilment of the DOLE’s plan to establish an e-learning facility. “The project actually begun in 2012 when the Labor and Employment Education Program (LEEP) was conceptualized. It became the system through which the existing DOLE learning materials were put together to raise client awareness in particular.

In 2013-2016 Planning Tool, e-Learning was included, expanding the use of technology in the capacity building program for DOLE employees

DOLE e-Learning program development: modernizing approach to learninghere and abroad,” she said. Since the course introduces virtual learning, weekend training were done through an online-remote access where participants do not have to go to the venue, instead access the class portal for the day’s lesson, seatworks, and homeworks, giving them an actual experience of the platform. During weekdays, participants are required to attend the typical classroom-based learning at ITDC computer laboratory for the hands-on training.

The goal is to create a group of trained staff who will develop the instructional materials for DOLE e-Learning facility as well as sustain its operation for the longer period.

But like most of the government agencies, DOLE still avails the highly embraced method of instruction: the traditional classroom-based training. It has been the usual venue of imparting knowledge and building new set of skills taking into consideration its effectiveness as studies have proven.

“Classroom-based trainings are indeed effective. Even as we speak, our in-house trainings remain to be done in this method. This does not mean, however, the Department is not ready to take in the latest approach. We are ready and we are pushing for the integration of e-Learning system in HR intervention for the benefit of our employees,” Brimon said.

The realities of providing trainings equally to all employees were factors that compelled the birth of this project. There are employees, especially those in the POLOs, lack the opportunity for continuous learning because gathering them in one country, in their case, would be impractical and costly. Aware that learning does not have to be expensive and exclusive, HRDS looked for other ways to make learning accessible, at the same time, cost effective. This is how e-Learning came into play.

“Fresh and latest gen in labor and employment would build a globally competitive and competent workforce able to handle the issues on overseas and local employment with confidence, and deal with extreme challenges we face in public service. Of course, this is only possible if we keep our people abreast with the information irrespective of time and distance. Maximizing Information and Communication Technology (ICT) for this purpose is deemed as the best option at the moment,” she said finally.

Meanwhile, participants are expected to produce one engaging and interactive module for elearning facility at the end of the training course. These will be uploaded in DOLE-Moodle platform, which will be launched on 8 December 2014 by Secretary Rosalinda Dimapilis- Baldoz, the Department’s 81st Anniversary.

Participants to the Training Workshop on the Development of DOLE e-Learning Program listen intently as a resource speaker discuss online education, instructional design/materials preparation, and Moodle operation.

DOLE Good News

6 November 2014

DOLE MIMAROPA has awarded P4,398,925 worth of livelihood assistance to 15

livelihood projects in Roxas, Mansalay and Bulalacao, Oriental Mindoro on November 17, 2014 at the Mansalay Gymnasium, Mansalay, Oriental Mindoro.

The livelihood assistance covered 15 workers’ association benefitting 1, 678 members. Out of the 15 projects, six projects were awarded to parents of child laborers in six barangays of Mansalay and Bulalacao. Some of the projects are smoked-fish processing, poultry-raising, handicraft-making, peanut butter-making, home garments manufacturing. On the other hand, five projects are under the Grassroot Participatory Budgeting (GPB), such as food processing and herbal products- making, perfume-making, goat-raising, dishwashing liquid-making and SFI garments-making.

OIC Regional Director Teodoro Delson in his message to the beneficiaries, emphasized the importance of sustaining the projects, saying these will surely provide them additional income for their families. For the parents of child laborers, he stressed that the DOLE and the LGUs hope for the removal of working children from work, let the parents work to support the needs of these children, and send them (children) back to school where they really belong.

Mayor Joel Maliwanag of Mansalay, Ms. Angel Saulong, Executive Assistant of the Governor, Mr. Jessie Pine, DOST Provincial Director, PESO Managers of the three municipalities and Barangay Chairmen were present in the awarding.

The awarding ceremony concided with the Kapitolyo para Sa Mamamayan (KPSM), one of the programs of the Provincial Government of Oriental Mindoro which brings various services closer to the people of Oriental Mindoro.

(Top photo) DOLE-MIMAROPA OIC Regional Director Teodoro Delson emphasizes the importance of sustaining the projects to beneficiaries saying these will provide them additional income for their families. Below, one of the beneficiaries with their symbolic livelihood check.

DOLE MIMAROPA awards P4.9-M worth of assistance to 15 livelihoods in Oriental Mindoro

DOLE Good News

7November 2014

The Department of Labor and Employment Cordillera Ad-ministrative Region in line with

its goal of ensuring service excellence, has successfully passed the ISO First Surveillance Audit conducted by Cer-tification International Philippines on November 18-19 2014.

“To all DOLE-CAR staff, congratulations! Thank you very much to all your sacrifices, understanding and cooperation”, Regional Director Henry John S. Jalbuena said.

Based on the findings of the Audit Team, headed by Benito C. Castillo Jr., the regional office’s Quality Management System, composed of 31 services (17 frontline services and 14 support services), has maintained and satisfactorily implemented, in accordance with ISO 9001:2008 standards, its QMS with some recommendation for some Opportunities for Improvements (OFIs).

“This is to confirm that all enrolled programs as specified in the audit plan are covered by this First Surveillance Audit. Documents and records to evidence the implementation of the QMS are available. The commitment and willingness of process owners interviewed contributed towards assuring the effectiveness and efficiency of processes, performances, and other requirements of the QMS,” Castillo explained.

He added that the Quality Management System is maintained and satisfactorily implemented in

DOLE-CAR successfully passes ISO 9001:2008 first surveillance audit

accordance with ISO 9001:2008 standards, however there are cited in the following Audit findings as areas for improvement.

ISO 9001:2008 is an internationally recognized Quality Management System standard that has been implemented by over a million in 170 countries worldwide.

The QMS’s 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.

DOLE-CAR Regional Director Henry John S. Jalbuena (3rd from left, seating), his staff, and the audit team, flash the thumbs up sign symbolizing the regional office’s passing the ISO 9001:2008 first surveillance audit.

Regional Director Henry John S. Jalbuena (above photo, left) discusses the regional office’s enrolled programs with audit team leader Benito Castillo, Jr. Left photo shows Mr. Castillo interviewing a DOLE-CAR staff.

By ALOHA B. JAUDIAN

Around three hundred service workers terminated from work were paid of their benefits after two conferences under the Single Entry Approach

(SEnA) of DOLE Western Misamis Oriental. The workers of Don Bosco Network Multi-Purpose Cooperative claimed for coop share, savings, dividend or patronage refund, 13th month pay, and separation pay.

Immediately after two SEnA conferences, payment was made to workers on October 29, 30, and 31, 2014 at the DOLE Office. Time, amount totaled to P849,589.47, representing claims on coop share and savings, and 13th month pay.

“Separation pay will have to be decided by the Coop Board when they convene. All benefits will be paid except for the separation pay and the patronage refund,” said Sophia Bautista, Administrative Manager of Don Bosco Network Multi Purpose Cooperative.

Declaring no profit and patronage refund, the workers insisted on their claims for dividends. “Gipasaligan mi sa Don Bosco nga dunay patronage refund inigabot sa lima (5) katuig,” refuted one worker.

“Ocho katuig ko nga nagtrabaho sa Don Bosco isip usa ka fruit peeler sa DMPI. Nangayo mi ug tabang sa DOLE aron mabayaran ko sa mga benepisyo sa masa separation pay uguban.”said another worker in a conference. (I worked 8 years with Don Bosco as fruit peeler of DMPI.

I asked help with DOLE for the payment of my benefits on separation pay and others).

DOLE recommended raising the issue on dividends with the appropriate authority. “The office is bounded to resolve concerns on labor standards. The Department can only do so much in resolving claims on coop benefits,” stressed DOLE Provincial Head Leila P. Labor. “The Cooperative Development Authority (CDA) can probe on the matter,” she added.

Don Bosco Multipurpose Cooperative, a manpower provider of Del Monte Philippines, Inc. for several years, ceased to bid for a new contract. Instead, workers assigned in the canning factory in Bugo, Cagayan de Oro, were endorsed to an agency that also provides services to the pineapple company.

“The Coop Board has met and come up with its decision on the separation pay. To date, we are still waiting the official communication from head office. For the meantime, the workers may call our Administrative Manager for inquiry,” declared Marivic Abragan, Officer-In-Charge of Don Bosco CDO Branch, in a telephone conversation with DOLE personnel.

Workers who failed to collect on the scheduled dates on October may visit the Don Bosco Network Multi-purpose Cooperative in Bugo during Saturdays from 8am-5pm, added Ms. Abragan.

300 workers receive benefits through SEnA

After two SEnA conferences, Don Bosco Network Multi-purpose Cooperative workers wait in line for the payment of their benefits.

Through the DOLE’s SEnA, DBNMC workers were able to claim their Coop share and savings, and 13th month pay from their employer.