DEPARTMENT OF LABOR AND EMPLOYMENT-RO1

The Department of Labor and Employment is the national government agency mandated to formulate policies, implement programs and serve as the

policy-coordinating arm of the Executive Branch in the field of labor and

employment.

To carry out its mandate, the Department has 16 regional offices , 37 overseas posts,

6 bureaus, 7 staff services, and 12 agencies attached to it for policy and program

supervision and coordination.

The Department of Labor and Emloyment– Regional Office No. 1 was created on

January 15, 1957 with Dagupan City as its base. It was transferred to San Fernando,

La Union on September 1975 through a department order. Today it has

six (6) field offices covering Ilocos Norte, Ilocos Sur, La Union, and

Pangasinan and presently, it has a manpower complement of 86 for the

entire region.

As we brace for another year of providing

quality service and care for all Filipino workers, DOLE 1 wishes to share with its clients and the general public its major successes picked among its mass of accomplishments from the year that has passed.

Our accomplishments are categorized according

to the present administration’s five (5) thrusts, namely, 1) Good Governance and Transformational Leadership; 2) Creating Conditions Conducive to Economic Growth and Competitiveness; 3) Social Programs that Build Capacity and Create Opportunity; 4) Foreign Policy that Promotes Investments and Workers’ Welfare.

In the following years, the DOLE 1, with the support of its partners, is poised to further intensify the implementation of its programs to fulfill the goals laid down in the present administration’s labor reform agenda.

HENRY JOHN S. JALBUENA Regional Director Chairman, DOLE-RCC1

Introduction

In 2010, the challenges faced by the nation have significantly tried the resilience of the people. The onslaught of natural calamities like typhoons and El Niño has caused a number of losses in lives and livelihood. The global economic instability has brought residual impact to the local economy. Down to the grassroots, the simple living farmers, fisher folks, and other hand-to-mouth income earners were once again whipped by the toll of poverty. However, struggling as it may, it is undeniably true that the nation was still able to survive these difficulties. Taking each trial as a lesson and striving as always to win over these hardships, the Filipinos and the government have once again proven their strength and determination. To respond to the need of the people for a secure life and livelihood, the government and its committed social partners have formulated interventions apt for the Filipinos’ unchanging needs during these changing times. The Department of Labor and Employment-Regional Office No.1 has made its fair share in rendering the services it was intended to provide to its clientele. With commitment, integrity, and solidarity, this report presents DOLE-RO1’s accomplishments.

Highlights of Accomplishments

In providing jobs search assistance services, DOLE-RO1 has placed a total of 27,650 workers through maximizing established linkage with program partners. Addressing the perennial issue on job-skill mismatch, the provision of updated Labor Market Information and the conduct of Career and Employment Coaching seminars have resulted to 48,640 jobseekers made aware of employment opportunities and assisted to make better career choices. Employment facilitators particularly the Public Employment Services Office managers were empowered and equipped with knowledge and information on how to better serve the Filipino jobseekers through the conduct of 10 capacity building seminars and orientation. A total of 198 Career and Employment Coachers were also trained covering 6 networks in the region. Through capacity building services for livelihood, 5,073 individuals were benefited via livelihood enhancement, formation, and income-augmentation programs. 2, 890 were assisted during the first semester while 2,183 were served during the second half of 2010. A total of PhP6, 952,418 was provided for trainings; provision of resources in the form of raw materials/inputs, tools, and jigs; and for the establishment of common facilities. Under social partnership promotion and dispute resolution services, 84.8 percent or 106 out of 125 Labor Standard cases were disposed while 100 percent of the Small Money Claim cases were re-solved. With Project SPEED 2, 606 workers were benefited through the resolution of 23 cases en-rolled. The amount of PhP3, 483,377.31 was awarded as restitution. On the one hand, 13 out of 32 cases under SPEED 3 were disposed and PhP 733,445.10was awarded benefiting 117 workers. With the initiation of Project LEAP, 38 out of the 110 cases handled were settled. To further efforts in maintaining industrial peace, continuing labor education seminars were conducted benefiting 13,333 workers, employers, and students during the first semester and 5,900 during the second se-mester. In support of this, Industrial Tripartite Councils were established—three (3) in the Non-Agricultural Sector and one (1) in the Agricultural Sector from January to June and another three (3) from July to December 2010. Fifteen (15) Tripartite Industrial Peace Councils were also existing spread all over the region.

Providing services to safeguard fair and just terms and conditions of employment through Self-Assessment, Technical Assistance Visits, and Inspection intensified by the implementation of

Project LEAP, a total of 1,611 establishments were assisted. Compliance rate to Labor Standards and Occupational Safety and Health henceforth, marked at 80 percent for the year. On the other hand, 18 Alien Employment Permits were issued to qualified applicants equally distributed within the first and second half of the year. A total of 794 workers in the informal economy were enrolled in various social protection schemes such as Social Security System or the SSS and PhilHealth under the social protection and welfare services of the Department. In promoting Family Welfare Program related services, 480 workers were benefited either through DOLE-initiated activities or company-conducted programs. Through the Project Angel Tree, 40 child laborers were provided educational assistance while 36 parents of child laborers were given economic opportunities for income-augmentation. Initiatives to advocate against trafficking in persons and illegal recruitment were evidenced by the conduct of 145 Anti-Illegal Recruitment-Trafficking in Persons (AIR-TIP) campaigns attended by 11,698 individuals. Opportunities to better serve the people were opened in 2010. The convergence of efforts of the various government agencies and private organizations has paved the way for the implementation of several pro-grams and services. The establishment of the Regional Network of Career and Employment Coachers for example was made possible to ensure that labor market information will be easily accessible to stu-dents, new entrants to the labor market, or jobseekers down to the grassroots. Career and Employment Coaching efforts were coupled by the conduct of Employability and Productivity Enhancement Seminars of the DOLE, CHED, RTWPB, DTI, and ECOP. The advocacy for the institutionalization of PESO has resulted to the establishment of school-based Public Employment Services Office in Lorma Colleges in the City of San Fernando, La Union as well as the institutionalization of the PESO in Rosales and Binmaley, Pangasinan. Thirty-five (35) newly-elected Local Chief Executives were oriented on the significance of the PESO and the campaigns to promote other employment facilitation programs and strategies continue to be implemented like the Project JobsFit, use of the Phil JobNet, and the Skills Registry System which was launched by President Benigno S. Aquino III during the 10th National PESO Congress. In promoting not only the constitutionally protected rights of workers but also their right to participate in the policy-making process, inspection efforts were intensified through the implementation of Project Labor Enforcement Action Program or Project LEAP. Single Entry Approach Desks (SEAD) were also set up in order to achieve reform in the mediation and arbitration process. Aligned with the marching order of the President to revive the Emergency Community Employment Program (ECEP), DOLE-RO1 has benefited at least 1392 workers from 23 identified municipalities all over the region while for on-going infrastructure projects and other similar undertakings being implemented still as part of the Emergency Employment Program, a total of 16,326 jobs were generated. One-stop-shops were also established in order to provide local and overseas workers with easier access to employment services and venue for the redress of their grievances. Another significant undertaking that was realized in 2010 was the creation of two additional field offices in Pangasinan. With the Rationalization Plan in effect, staff were strategically deployed in the six (6) field offices spread over the four (4) provinces in the region.

Conclusion

The unchanging need of the Filipino people for a secure life and livelihood is set prime by this Department. As it continues to lead towards living its vision and working on its mission, DOLE-RO1 will strive for betterment.

he turn of the year 2010 was welcomed by waves of triumphs and trials. The resilience of the Filipino people was tested by challenges of

recovering from difficulties brought by economic turmoil and natural calamities experienced during 2009. But the odds were equalled if not surpassed by the determination not just of the people themselves but more importantly of the public servants aiming to lead the Filipinos to a better situation. The Department of Labor and Employment was steadfast in fulfilling its mandate--working hand in hand with its various social partners in implementing its programs and projects primarily for the purpose of poverty alleviation. The surge of typhoons, the drought brought by El Niño, the adverse economic condition, and the traditional scheme of politics in the Philippines has in-dependently and collectively preoccupied the citizens of this nation. And with the dawn of a new leadership under President Benigno S. Aquino III, Filipinos felt a mix of hope and also of doubt about the choices which have been made leading to a new administration. But even with the new sets of priorities geared towards “matuwid na daan” and serving the real bosses, the entire Department strived to be in full battle gear and in one tune and harmony to win over the plight against poverty. Through its various programs and services, the Department of Labor and Employment Regional Office No.1 was set and determined in achieving the goals of providing gainful employment opportunities, developing human resources, promoting a secure workforce, and maintaining industrial peace. As a result of the unwavering efforts of this Department, let this report be a

humble proof.

ON A GAINFULLY-EMPLOYED WORKFORCE Job Search Assistance Services for Wage Employment

A total of 27,650 workers were placed through the collaboration of DOLE and its partners broken down as follows: 15,104 in the private sector, 7,940 in the government sector; 2804 placed through SPES and 1,802 placed through job contractors/subcontractors. Of the total accomplishment, 23,044 were placed through the PESOs. Of these data, 13,673 workers were placed from January to June and 13,977 from July to December 2010. Done along the government’s goal of eradicating the job-skill mismatch problem, and as part of

the strategies to ensure quality employment, 172 institutions and 19,979 individuals were provided with Labor Market Information reports through the conduct of Career and Employment Coaching. 477 employers were provided with information regarding jobseekers/applicants while 48,640 jobseekers/applicants were provided with information on job openings/prospects.

On Capacity-Building Program for Partners in Employment Facilitation, 10 trainings/ orientations were conducted for 105 PESO participants, 42 of whom are females. In collaboration with the Commission on Higher Education and Department of Education, 6 trainings/orientations were conducted for Career and Employment Coachers covering 6 networks in the region with 198 participants.

Capacity-Building Services for Livelihood Five thousand seventy three (5,073) persons benefited from the DOLE’s Capacity Building Services for Livelihood Enhancement, Livelihood Formation and Income-Augmentation Livelihood. 2,890 of whom were during the first semester and 2,183 during the second semester. For Livelihood Enhancement, 3,674 Informal Sector workers were given livelihood assistance 1,401 of whom are female. Among the workers benefited are farmers (2,361), fishermen (21), IPs (499), ambulant vendors or peddlers (64), home-based workers (407), OFWs/returning OFWs and their families (4) and other informal sector workers (318). The amount of PhP 645,488 was released for the provision of resources in the form of raw materials/inputs, tools and jigs and PhP 2,485,178 was provided for the establishment of 15 common facilities. One thousand sixty seven (1,067) disadvantaged workers, 498 of which are female were provided assistance to engage in livelihood undertaking under the Livelihood Formation component. These workers are parents of child laborers (85), IPs (58), Youth (151),

OFWs/returning OFWs and their families (56) and other disadvantaged groups (717). Eighteen trainings were conducted and Php 1,910,876 was provided for resources in the form of raw mate-rials/inputs, tools and jigs. A total of 280 workers, (150 workers of 2 labor unions and 130 workers of a worker’s association)

were provided with a resource assistance of Ph1,910,876 to engage in income-augmenting collective enterprises.

Fifty two (52) OFWs and their families were provided with reintegration services.

Social Partnership Promotion and Dis-pute Resolution Services Through its dispute resolution services, the DOLE 1 has facilitated the disposition of cases handled. 106 or 84.8% of the 125 Labor Standards cases were disposed, and 2 or 100% of the 2 pending Small Money Claim cases were also settled. Of the five (5) Med-Arbitration cases han-dled, a disposition rate of 100% was achieved. All of the 23 pending cases enrolled in SPEED 2 (Speedy and Efficient Delivery of Labor Justice)

were efficiently disposed benefitting 606 workers with P3,483,377.31 as awards/settlements. Under SPEED 3, a total of 13 cases were disposed out of the 32 cases han-dled benefiting 117 workers with P733,445.10 as awards/settlements. Of the 110 cases handled on Project LEAP, 38 cases were disposed/resolved. To complement efforts ensuring industrial peace, continuing labor and employment

education assistance were given to 19,233 (9,887 female) workers, employers and students. Of this, 13,333 were assisted during the first semester and 5,900 during the second semester. Three (3) Industry Tripartite Councils (ITCs) in Non-Agricultural Sector and 1 ITC in Agricultural Sector were established during the period January to June and another 3 ITCs during the period July to December, a total of 7 ITCs during the calendar year. To present, there are 30 existing ITCs (27 in Non-Agricultural Sector and 3 in Agricultural Sector). There are 15 existing Tripartite Industrial Peace Councils (TIPCs) in the region.

ON A SECURE WORKFORCE Services to Safeguard Fair and Just Terms and Conditions of Employment On Labor Standards, 1,611 establishments were assisted through Self-Assessment (55), Inspection (1166) and Technical Assistance Visits (390) during the year. Only 274 estab-lishments were assisted during the first semester. Compliance rate of establishments with core Labor Standards and OSH was at 80% during the year.

A total of 16 Alien Employment Permits were issued to qualified applicants (8 during the first semester and 8 during the second semester).

Social Protection and Welfare Services

Through the Social Protection Program, DOLE-RO1 was able to facilitate the enrolment of 500 Workers in the Informal Economy in various social security schemes such as SSS and Philhealth from January to June, 2010 and 294 from July to December, 2010 or a total of 794 WIEs, 220 of whom are women.

Four hundred eighty (480) workers benefited through Family Welfare Program related services/activities, 313 of which were through DOLE conducted services/activities while 167 through company-initiated services/activities. With the implementation of Project Angel Tree and the KaSaMa Project, DOLE-RO1 was able to provide (36) livelihood assistance and (40) educational assistance to child laborers and

their parents. A total of 145 AIR-TIP campaign activities were conducted, attended by 11,698 par-ticipants. ON A SAFE AND HEALTHY WORKFORCE

Under the work accident and illness prevention services, 7 applications for accreditation of OSH Practitioners were processed, 1 certificate of accreditation was issued. Moreover, nine (9) establishments declared that they have accredited safety officers/OSH practitioners.

Addressing the labor mismatch problem through better coordination Project Jobs Fit To firm up broader support to the Phil-Jobnet and Project Jobs Fit at the grassroots, continuing massive advocacy on Phil-Jobnet and LMI Program was conducted for 72 local government units, PESOs, and other entities involved. Regular updating of preferred skills by priority industries as well as the existing labor supply was also undertaken in coordination and consultation with stakeholders. However, in the second semester, the first wave implementation of Skills Registry System was launched in the region where two key municipalities were selected as pilot areas. Through the said program, live register of skills and expanded databank of manpower demand will be made available for the whole region. In furtherance of the objectives of Project Jobs Fit, the following key strategies were employed:

Career and Employment Coaching DOLE 1 has called on the Department of Education, Commission on Higher Education, Philippine Overseas Employment Administration, Professional Regulation Commission, Technical Education and Skills Development Authority, Regional Tripartite Wages and Productivity Board and Overseas Workers Welfare Administration to form the Regional Network of Career and Employment Coachers (RNCECs); and in a series of consultation-dialogues held on January 28, June 3 and July 8, the RNCECs put together specialized guidance and counseling modules into a standard module which will guide and prepare secondary and tertiary students in respectively choosing a career and finding quality employment.

The separate modules for each level were draft-ed as a result of the meetings. Titled “Career Guidance Program for Secondary Students”, the proposed module for secondary students will basically contain an introduction stating the

objectives and legal basis of the CEC; fac-tors to consider in choosing a career course such as abilities, interests, person-ality, family expectations, financial capa-bility and health conditions; labor market information from different data sources; and a conclusion containing inspirational passages. On the other hand, the proposed module for tertiary students which is titled “Career and Employment Coaching” will center on preparing graduating tertiary students for future employment oppor-

tunities. It will embrace topics, such as but not limited to: stages of employment, productivity and the rights of workers. The module will guide the graduating students from the taxing job seeking stage through employment where they are ex-pected to be productive and competent.

These efforts are being made to ensure that labor market information will be easily accessible to students, new entrants to the labor market, or jobseekers down to the grassroots.

After the harmonized CEC modules are finalized, the RNCEC will train a pool of career

and employment coachers, who will be the designated focal persons of the member agencies, and the PESOs. Employability and Productivity Enhancement Seminars Alongside CEC efforts, the DOLE, CHED, RTWPB, Department of Trade and Industry and the Employers’ Confederation of the Philippines are conducting Employability and Productivity Enhancement eminars for all graduating tertiary students.

Establishment of school-based PESO and Institutionalization of Rosales PESO The first school-based Public Employment Services Office in the province of La Union, and the second in Region 1, has been established in October after Department of Labor and Employment-Region 1 Director Henry John S. Jalbuena signed a Memorandum of Agreement with Lorma Colleges, Inc., Executive Director Jose P. Mainggang.

This feat is in harmony with President Benigno S. Aquino III’s 22-point labor and employment policy agenda which seeks to address the labor-mismatch problem through better and strength-ened coordination among various social players.

As envisioned, the presence of the PESO within the school will facilitate the registration of its college graduates in the Skills Registry System (SRS), which was launched by President Aquino at the opening of the 10th National PESO Congress held from October 5-7 in Tagaytay City.

In the same month, an LGU-based PESO was institutionalized in Rosales, Pangasinan, strength-ening further long-time partnership between the Department and the municipal govern-ment of Rosales in the area of employment generation and facilitation. The signing of Memorandum of Agreement between Mayor Ricardo V. Revita and Director Henry John S. Jalbuena officially sealed the commitment of the two entities in promoting gainful employment and in addressing the perennial problem of job mismatch. Another LGU-based PESO was also institutionalized in Binmaley, Pangasinan with the appointment of a PESO manager. This milestone is in keeping with President Benigno S. Aquino’s thrust of creating local job opportunities by facilitating exchange of labor market information at all levels, and with the marching order of Labor Secretary Rosalinda Dimapilis-Baldoz to intensify public-private partnership as strategy to solve the labor-mismatch problem. To push for the institutionalization of more PESOs in local government units, advocacy was conducted in 16 LGUs: Alilem, San Emilio, Narvacan, Sta. Lucia, Sto. Domingo and Magsingal in Ilocos Sur; Malasiqui, Bayambang, Mapandan, SanFabian, Calasiao, Sta. Barbara, San Carlos City, Burgos, Anda and Basista in Pangasinan. The office has already established 125 municipal, 4 provincial and 2 school-based PESOs, or a total of 131.

Advocacy on PESO for Newly-Elected Local Chief Executives PESO advocacy was conducted for 35 newly elected Local Chief Executives in Bacnotan, Bagulin, Bauang, Naguilian, La Union; Vigan City, San Emilio, Sta. Lucia, Narvacan, Magsingal, Sto. Domingo, Tagudin, San Juan, Sta. Cruz, Sta. Catalina, Caoayan, Ilocos Sur; Pinili, Pagudpud, Ban-na, Currimao, Provincial Government of Ilocos Norte, Piddig, Ilocos Norte; and Sta. Maria, Malasiqui, Balungao, Sta. Barbara, Bayambang, San Carlos tiy, Manaoag, San Fabian, Calasiao, San Nicolas, Burgos, Anda, Binmaley, Basista, Pangasinan. Promote not only the constitutionally

protected rights of workers but also their right to partici-pate in the policy making process Project SpeEd During the second semester, all of the 23 pending cases enrolled in SPEED 2 (Speedy and Efficient Delivery of Labor Justice) were efficiently disposed benefitting 606 workers with P3,483,377.31 as awards/settlements. Under SPEED 3, a total of 11 cases were disposed out of the 32 cases handled benefiting 318 workers with P342,246.71 as awards/settlements. Project Labor Enforcement Action Program (LEAP) Out of its 1,062 targets for August to November, the Task Force LEAP has inspected 1064 establishments.

Project Speedy and Efficient Delivery of Labor Justice (SPEED 2) All 23 pending cases enrolled in SPEED 2 have already been disposed.

Single Entry Approach (SENA) 14 SENA Desks (SEADs) were already established. A total of 20 SEAD officers underwent training, 5 on November 22-24, 2010, 8 on December 6-8, 2010 and 7 on December 13-15, 2010. 25 cases out of the 90 cases were settled through the DOLE 1’s SEADs, giving a settlement rate of 27.78%. Six (6) were referred to the NLRC; while conciliation-mediation proceedings are still on-going for the remaining 59 cases.

Strengthening the Emergency Community Employment Program (ECEP)

Emergency Employment Program In reviving the Emergency Community Employment Program as pushed for by President Benigno S. Aquino III, a total of 1,392 workers from 23 identified municipalities spread all over the region were benefited. A total of PhP7,137,750.00 was allocated for the salaries of those employed for a duration which lasted up to 30 days except for the case of Dagupan City which ran only for a period of 23 days. Starting October 21, 2010, the emergency workers have been employed for a period of 15-30 days in local government units infrastructure projects, and have received/will receive wages based on the hiring rate of the LGUs.

Emergency Employment Program under TUPAD

With the onslaught of the El Niño phenomenon during the first semester of 2010, farmers were hit the hardest by its effect. To mitigate the burden that was caused by losses in their livelihood, the DOLE formulated a program which provided this sector of workers with opportunity for employment. Through agricultural infrastructure and community projects, a total of 115 affected farmers were employed and a total amount of PhP462, 700.00 was paid for their salaries.

DOLE-Kabuhayan/Livelihood Starter Kit and Nego-Kart Project A total of 77 ambulant vendors from various municipalities in the region received a total amount of PhP1,155,000.00 for Nego–Kart. There were 342 individuals who benefited from the DOLE-Kabuhayan/Livelihood Starter Kit Project. The total release amounted to PhP1,396,046.50.

Kabataan Information Technology (ITo) Project In the implementation of Kabataan ITO, 180 mentors were hired and 1,349 participants composed of students, OSYs, employees, unemployed individuals, barangay officials, health workers, senior citizens, and Indigenous People (IPs) benefited from the mentoring sessions. Coordination and Monitoring of Job Creation under the Government ’s Emergency Employment Program (EEP) A total of 16,326 jobs were generated from on-going job generating infrastructure projects and other similar undertakings being implemented and to be implemented.

Towards Good Governance and Transformational Leadership Tripartite Accountability through Efficiency and Integrity Board (EIB) 7 agency level EIB (1 per agency member of the Regional Coordinating Committee) were cre-ated in support to the administration’s goal for transparency and anti-corruption practices in the bureaucracy . Compliance with the Anti-Red Tape Act (ARTA) The Department continues to adhere to the otso-otso program while citizen’s feedback forms are provided to clients as feedback mechanism in the delivery of programs/services. Ensured Responsible Allocation and Use of Government Resources Work and Financial Plan for CY 2010 was reformulated and the Budget Proposal for CY 2011 was prepared in accordance with Zero Based Budgeting.

There were as much entertainment and surprises as there were opportunities for employment, livelihood and skills development/enhancement during the celebration of the 2010 Labor Day. Succinctly, it was a way of putting prime importance on the diverse needs of the Filipino workers for betterment and a tribute to their immense contribution to the economy. A broad menu of services was offered to jobseekers. The Regional Winners of the DOLE Kabuhayan Awards were proclaimed and livelihood check was awarded to the LGU of Rosales, Pangasinan. Josiah Youth Movement, the regional winner for the Kabataang Kabuhayan Category, received the Certificate of Recognition and entitlement to PhP20,000 prize as an additional working capital. The other winners of the DOLE KAs are Bagnos Multi-Purpose Cooperative of Banna, Ilocos Norte (Kanayunang Kabuhayan), which is also a runner-up at the national level, Bao-as Seamen Association of Sta. Lucia, Ilocos Sur (ISLA Category), Rural Improvement Club of Rosario, La Union (Kabalikat Kabuhayan) and the Union Christian College Staff and Faculty Union in the City of San Fernando, La Union (Dagdag Kabuhayan). The farmer-members of New Hope Multi-Purpose Cooperative in Rosales, Pangasinan were awarded check amounting to PhP120,000 for the acquisition of a mini tractor. A complete set of computer was likewise turned over to the PESO of Rosales to institutionalize the Skills Registratry System (SRS).

The Labor Day celebration was made more vital through the Job and Livelihood Fairs and Diskwento Fair which enabled the general public to purchase basic commodities at much lower costs.

One-stop-shop government services were made available to jobseekers and the general public to completely provide their employment needs. The DOLE-RCC 1, DTI, DSWD, NSO, SSS, Philhealth, HDMF, BIR, DOH and Philippine Navy from the government sector and the Prime Health Clinic/Medical and Diagnostic Center from the private sector put their resources together to organize the following services: medical, application/issuance/renewal of PRC license, skills assessment and certification, career and employment coaching, special desk for PWDs and free massage.

To drive home the profitability of livelihood ventures as source of income, provide opportunity to the public to avail the benefits of the program and help DOLE-assisted associations in promoting their products, a Livelihood Products Display was set up in the same venue. While the Job and Livelihood Fairs were on-going, audio-visual presentations of DOLE More than Jobs!, livelihood projects, project NARS and ECLTI were flashed on screen. Indoor prizes for the first 500 jobseekers were raffled during the day. 1,147 jobseekers were registered during the event with 248 Hired-on- the-spot. Though a lesser number of HOTS was recorded as compared to the preceding year, a remarkable increase in the number and quality of available vacancies and a corresponding increase in the number of participating employers was noted for the Jobs Live! 2010 which lured 50 local employers and 20 pri-vate recruitment agencies which offered 1,362 and 8,870 job opportunities, respectively, or total va-cancies of 10,232. In 2009, 5,195 overseas job orders and 208 local job vacancies were posted, pool-ing a total of 5,403. This shows a significant increase in total vacancies of 47%.

Rendering Public Service

In celebration of the DOLE 77th Anniversary, simultaneous job fairs were held at SM City Rosales and Bani, Pangasinan on December 8, 2010. The 31 jobseekers hired on the spot marked the success of the said events. . The jobseekers, who were among the 321 registrants at the SM City Rosales Job Fair, were placed immediately by the SM City Rosales, Ace Hardware, and Jollibee SM Rosales after the on-site screening done by the said establishments. The filled-up positions include cashiers, stock/sales utility clerks, warehouse clerks, baggers and checkers. Twenty employers, composed of 11 local business establishments and nine private recruitment agencies, participated in the job fair, offering over 200 job vacancies and over 1,000 overseas jobs, respectively. The DOLE noted that the most recurrent local job vacancies were sales clerks/executives, human resource related positions, engineers and store managers/supervisors. Overseas employment opportunities included teachers, salon workers, engineers, graphic artists/designers, hospitality workers, factory workers and domestic helpers. Significantly, the signing of the Memorandum of Agreement between the Municipality of Rosales and the DOLE RO1 for the institutionalization of the SRS was held during the opening ceremonies of the job fair. The SRS is part of the reform in employment facilitation which the DOLE implements under President Benigno S. Aquino III’s administration. It will serve as the national registry where jobseekers may advertise their skills and at the same time, attract investors to put up their businesses in a particular area where there is abundance of the skills needed. The SRS registration set off immediately in the jobs fair, giving jobseekers the opportunity to be employed through entering their personal data and skills into the system . All registrants were asked to fill up the National Manpower Skills Registry System forms, which were collected, and submitted to concerned SRS focal person responsible in encoding the data.

Valuing Employees

Final Option Resort, San Juan, La Union-December 17, 2010 was almost two weeks past DOLE anniversary. However, each staff of the Department is still in high spirits to relive the essence of the foundation of the agency which spearheads in promoting gainful employment opportunities, developing human resources, protecting workers and promoting their welfare henceforth, maintaining industrial peace. The day was spent for family bonding, for merry-making, and a little of work just to reaffirm the commitment of the employees in contributing to the attainment of the goals of this Department. It was an activity filled with fun, games, and entertainment prepared by the different units and field offices. On December 08, a mass was also offered at St. William’s Cathedral in San Fernando City, La Union as a kick-off of the anniversary celebration.

An overwhelming attendance of Public Employment Service Officers in Region 1 was reached during a DOLE RO1-initiated activity to affirm their support to the new administration’s labor governance agenda. Following a directive from Labor Secretary Rosalinda D. Baldoz to strengthen cooperation with both private and public institutions, especially at the local levels, DOLE RO1 sought to convene the municipal and provincial PESOs to enhance their capacities in performing their employment functions. The PESOs were updated with the new leadership’s priority thrusts and programs, among which are: the Skills Registry System, Labor Market Information, Career and Employment Coaching and Anti-Illegal Recruitment Campaign. Director Henry John Jalbuena has ordered the conduct of capability trainings for PESO managers in light of these programs and the provision of assistance to local government units for the institutionalization of PESOs. Jalbuena said the PESOs, being the multi-employment facilities at the grassroots, should be able to localize the programs to ensure that these reach their target beneficiaries. To further strengthen their ranks and obtain their representation at the PESOPhil, the PESO managers elected their new set of Regional Federation Officers. Mr. Alex Ferrer of the Pangasinan PESO was elected as the President of the federation. The other officers are:

1. Mario Soria (Batac, Ilocos Norte) - Internal Vice-President 2. Melchor Ancheta (City of San Fernando,La Union). - External Vice-President 3. Catalina Flores (Binmaley, Pangasinan) - Treasurer 4. Joyce Aberin (Agoo, La Union) - Auditor

Board of Directors: Ilocos Norte Dr. Clemente Galiza Ilocos Sur Doris Manzano Norma Dafun Jocelyn La Madrid La Union Amparo Mabalot Pangasinan Samuel Bugarin Charito Dator Roel Sabado

The newly elected officers were inducted by Director Jalbuena; and will be holding their posts for three years; or for a term co-terminus with their respective local chief executives’.

One of the intensive and global initiatives geared towards the goal of eliminating child labor in all its worst forms is the designation of June 12 as the World Day Against Child Labor (WDACL).

Consistent with the objectives of the Philippine Program Against Child Labor, the Department of Labor and Employment is steadfast in pursuing actions leading to the end of child labor and in joining the international community in celebrating this noble undertaking. In celebration of the WDACL, Project Angel Tree was implemented in two select municipalities of Ilocos Sur and Ilocos Norte. Twenty (20) child laborers from Sta. Lucia, Ilocos Sur and another twenty (20) from Batac, Ilocos Norte who were previously engaged in tobacco-related tasks were provided with educational assistance while through the implementation of the Kabuhayan Para Sa Magulang ng mga Batang-Manggagawa or the KaSaMa Project, 36 parents of child laborers from Batac, Ilocos Norte and San Fernando City, La Union were provided with avenue to engage in income-augmenting activities.

In the provision of public service, the quality and efficiency of its delivery is paramount. Continuously developing the capacity of the people who provide the various services to the public is therefore, equally important. Taking a conscious and serious effort to address this concern, the DOLE-RO1 conducted a series of Refresher Courses on the various programs, projects, and services implemented by the Department to all its employees. With the passing of time there have been significant updates and reforms in the implementation of several DOLE programs. Thus, to equip the staff with the best know-how of these programs and enable them to perform at their best, the two-day orientation-training conducted in three different dates and venues consisted of five modules dealing with various topics such as the DOLE’s background, goals and major final outputs which are the integral make-up of the Statistical Performance Reporting System or the SPRS; integrated livelihood program; labor relations and labor standards programs; employment facilitation and regulation programs and services; and Civil Service Rules and Regulations on Personnel Decorum and Discipline. It is the objective of the training to improve the competitiveness of the staff and collectively, the organization.

Being one of the reforms in employment facilitation which the DOLE implements under President Benigno S. Aquino III’s administration, the institutionalization of the Skills Registry System (SRS) for its first wave of implementation was launched at the two pilot areas in the region through a social pact between the DOLE and the Local Government Unit of Rosales, Pangasinan, , and another with the City government of San Fernando, La Union. These forerun broader support from local partners in conscious efforts of the Department to address the perennial labor mismatch problem. The SRS envisioned to enhance the databank of manpower supply with their corresponding skills and qualifications for ready access of employment service cli-ents. The SRS aims to strengthen the current system of Register of labor demand from employers that shall be available to both jobseekers and employers through the existing Phil-jobnet,. The signing of the Memorandum of Agreement between Director Henry John S. Jalbuena and Mayor Pablo C. Ortega for the City of San Fernando, was held on December 1, 2010. A week after, a MOA Signing with the LGU-Rosales was held at SM City Rosales during the 7th DOLE Anniversary celebration on December 8. The MOA signing, which was accompanied with the awarding of necessary equipment, SRS materials and electronic system, has bolstered the capacity of the LGU to implement the SRS, which is a continuing nationwide manpower skills registration for jobseekers. . The LGUs have committed to mobilize barangay officials and personnel to assist in the implementation of SRS activities such as purposive data gathering, encoding of manpower information, storage and updating of register and preparation of reports. SRS will ensure the availability of relevant labor market information needed to effectively facilitate the employment of those unemployed and assist business

establishments in sourcing qualified manpower to fill their existing vacancies.

In harmony with the new administration’s thrust of instituting labor governance reforms in the country, the Department of Labor and Employment-Regional Office 1 has just fully implemented its deployment plan; thereby creating two new field offices as a requisite. Approved by the Department of Budget and Management on April 13, 2009 pursuant to Executive Order No. 366, the rationalization program of the DOLE 1 has called for the deployment or reassignment of its personnel to different divisions and six field offices. The reshuffling, the final batch in a staggered deployment of staff, is seen to strength-en the delivery of its various services, especially that the Department is gearing up for the implementation of its reformulated targets in line with President Benigno “NoyNoy” Aquino III’s 22-point labor agenda. The DOLE has wide-ranging programs and projects, and to help various clients max-imize their benefits, continuous instituting of measures, one of which is setting up offices in strategic locations and putting the right people right where they are needed. The essential part of the rationalization program was the branching out of DOLE-RO1 in the City of Alaminos and Rosales, both in the Province of Pangasinan, which con-stituted a total of six field offices in the whole region at present. Its four original offic-es are located in Laoag City (Ilocos Norte), Vigan City (Ilocos Sur), City of San Fernan-do (La Union) and Dagupan City (Pangasinan).

Headed by Mr. Adonis Peralta, the former Provincial Labor Officer of Dagupan District Office, the DOLE-Alaminos (Western Pangasinan) Field Office will cater to clients coming from Districts 1 and 2 of Pangasinan. Rosales (Eastern Pangasinan) Field Office, which is under the leadership of Ms. Erlinda Villegas, will serve mostly those residing in the 5th and 6th districts of Pangasinan. In its Regional Office operate the Technical Services Support Division (TSSD), the divi-sion responsible for planning, monitoring and policy-making on the office’s different programs and projects; the Internal Management and Services Division (IMSD) which

handles the whole office’s administrative concerns; and the Office of the Regional Director.

Assistant Regional Director (VACANT)

TERESA N. BONAVENTE Officer-In-Charge, TSSD

VERONICA A. CORSINO Officer-In-Charge, IMSD

ENGRACIO Q. BAILON Chief Admin. Officer/

Ilocos Norte Field Office Head

FIORELLO B. SURELL Chief LEO/ La Union Field Office Head

ATTY. FLORENCE MARIE GACAD-ULEP Mediator-Arbiter/MALSU Head

ADONIS A. PERALTA Chief LEO/ Alaminos (Western Pangasinan)

Field Office Head

ERLINDA P. VILLEGAS Chief LEO/ Rosales (Eastern Pangasinan)

Field Office Head

LEONARDO M. CATAPIA Senior LEO/ Dagupan (Central Pangasinan)

Field Office Head

FRESNAIDA A. GUNDAN Chief LEO/ Ilocos Sur Field Office Head

EXEQUIEL RONIE A. GUZMAN Board Secretary VI

Regional Tripartite Wage and Productivity Board Region 1

ATTY. IRENARCO R. RIMANDO Executive Labor Arbiter

National Labor Relations Commission-RAB I

NONETTE LEGASPI-VILLANUEVA Chief

Philippine Overseas Employment Authority Regional Center for Luzon

DIR. CARMINA B. ALONZO Director II, OIC

National Conciliation and Mediation Board

ESPERANZA C. COBARRUBIAS Chief

Overseas Workers Welfare Administration Region 1

WASHINGTON M. AGUSTIN Regional Director

Technical Education and Skills Development Authority

Region 1

MARIE EVANGELINE VERGARA Regional Director

Professional Regulation Commission Baguio City

Regional Office No. 1

City of San Fernando, la Union

Website; www.ro1.dole.gov.ph

Email address; dole_ro1@yahoo.com

Telefax: (072) 7002-520