President Benigno S. Aquino III joined the JobStart Forum on Youth in the Labor Market in Mandaue City as part of his Labor Day activities in Cebu City,

along with Labor and Employment Secretary Rosalinda Dimapilis-Baldoz, other Cabinet members, and national and local government officials.

At the forum, the President interacted with JobStart Philippines youth beneficiaries and other recipients of Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) programs on job facilitation, including the Special Program for Employment of Students (SPES) and Government Internship Program (GIP).

The JobStart Forum gathered youth beneficiaries, partner LGUs, employers and government officials to showcase the collaborative efforts of the national and local governments, including the private sector in promoting youth participation in the labor market.

“With the adoption of the new model for employment facilitation service, the expected placement rate of JobStarters of the pilot implementation is at least 80 percent, up from the prevailing 60-65 percent rates in recent years,” DOLE Secretary Rosalinda Dimapilis-Baldoz said.

“Of the 1,435 youth graduates of life skills training since the pilot run of JobStart in June 2014, we now have 200 JobStarters with regular employment for the 1st quarter of 2015,” Baldoz added.

Officials from the Asian Development Bank (ADB) and the LGUs involved in the pilot stage of JobStart, along with the JobStarters, shared during the Forum their experiences about JobStart Philippines Program’s pilot implementation.

The Bureau of Local Employment, headed by Dir. Dominique Tutay, set up exhibit booths showcasing DOLE’s banner programs, such as JobStart Philippines, Labor Market Information (LMI), Career Ambassadors, Talent Mapping, SPES, GIP, Assist WELL

On Labor Day, P-Noy graces JobStart Philippines Forum in Mandaue City

(Welfare, Employment, Legal and Livelihood), Productivity Champions, including the programs of the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA), and Mandaue Chamber of Commerce.

Also highlighting the JobStart Forum were the testimonials of JobStarters and JobStart partner employers. There were also presentations from Mr. Kelly Bird of ADB, Bureau of Local Employment Director Dominique R. Tutay, and President of Institute for Integrality, Inc., Ms.Cristine Margaret Atienza.

The Forum was capped with messages of support from Atty. Jonas Asis, Regional Vice President of Associated Labor Unions-TUCP in Central Visayas Region, Mr. Richard Bold, Country Director from ADB, and Mr. Stephen Weaver, Counsellor (Development) and Head of Cooperation from the Embassy of Canada in Manila. DOLE Undersecretary Ciriaco A. Lagunzad III concluded the event.

The theme of the JobStart Forum is “Investing in Filipino Youth Employability and Competitiveness: A Public-Private Partnership”. The event is organized by DOLE in partnership with City Government of Mandaue, ADB and Government of Canada. (Miguel Arias)

Labor and Employment Secretary Rosalinda Dimapilis-Baldoz (2nd from right) briefs President Benigno Aquino III on the significance of the JobStart Forum to youth beneficiaries and partner agencies during the Labor Day celebration in Mandaue City. Joining the Secretary and the President are DOLE-RO 7 Regional Director Exequiel Sarcauga (left), BLE Director Dominique Tutay (2nd from left), and other partner agency officials.

DOLE Good News

2 May 2015

The Labor Communications Office is open to receiving letters from readers expressing their views and comments, and/or suggestions on articles that appear on the DOLE Good News. Letters should be no more than a hundred words. Your letters will be published in succeeding issues of the DOLE Good News. Send your letters to:

Department of Labor and EmploymentLabor Communications Office6th Flr. DOLE Bldg. Muralla St. Intramuros, Manila

or e-mail us at dole_lco@yahoo.com/laborcommunications@gmail.com

If you believe in Good News,

tell us.

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 EditorCATHERINE MARIE E. VILLAFLORES

Staff WritersCELESTE T. MARING

HAZEL JOY T. GALAMAYALTHEA LOUISE D. MAJAN

MA. 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

VERSEAS CORNER

Labor and Employment Secretary Rosalinda Dimapilis-Baldoz has encouraged Filipino nurses to grab the employment

opportunities available in the United Kingdom and the Republic of Ireland as the demand for professional nurses continues in the said countries.

Baldoz, citing the report of Philippine Overseas Labor Office in-charge Esperanza Cobarrubias, said that for the first quarter of 2015, a demand for 739 Filipino nurses, covered by 12 job orders in UK and in the Republic of Ireland, was recorded by the Philippine Overseas Labor Office (POLO) in London.

“This is a worthy career opportunity for our Filipino nurses who want to seek overseas employment. UK and Ireland employers provide not only good employment packages, but also, their governments strictly prohibit the charging of placement fee to applicants,” said Baldoz.

The labor and employment chief reminded Filipino nurse-applicants that although there is an abundance of career opportunities in the said countries, they should be well-prepared for the process that they need to go through in order to land the job.

Nurse-applicants must successfully register with the UK’s Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC), which includes, among others, attaining an International English Language Testing System (IELTS) score of 7.0 and passing the two-part competency examination composed of the multiple choice Computer-Based Test (CBT) which is accessible in many countries, including the Philippines, and the Objective Structured Clinical Examination (OSCE), which is held in UK.

Only applicants who pass the CBT will qualify for the OSCE. They will be granted a visit visa for six months, which will allow them entry into the UK not earlier than 14 days prior to the scheduled date of the OSCE.

A nurse-applicant who fails the OSCE is allowed to retake it twice. If the applicant still fails, then he/she has to go back to the Philippines even before the expiration of the six-month visit visa.

With 739 job openings in UK and Ireland for the first quarter of 2015, Baldoz confident Filipino nurses have what it takes to get hired

On the other hand, a nurse-applicant who successfully passes the OSCE will automatically be registered as a nurse with the NMC.

However, the applicant has to go back to the Philippines and apply for a Tier 2 visa with the UK Embassy in Manila as sponsored by the UK employer, and process the exit clearance with the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration

(POEA) through the employer’s Philippine Recruitment Agency (PRA).

In the Republic of Ireland, the hiring of Filipino nurses requires an IELTS score of 6.5. Applicants would have to undergo a nursing adaptation or supervised nursing practice upon arrival in the country before they can register with the Irish Nursing and Midwifery Board and later on work as registered nurses.

A registered nurse in the UK receives an annual salary ranging from £21,478 to £27,901; while a nurse in Ireland receives a salary ranging from €29,205 to €35,000 a year.

“While the application process may be quite challenging, we are confident that with the exceptional skill, professionalism, work ethic, and values of our Filipino nurses, they would be able to meet these requirements,” Baldoz remarked.

True to the Secretary’s statement, POLO-London had noted the arrival of Filipino nurses in the UK. Three Post-Arrival Orientation Seminars (PAOS) for the newly arrived Filipino nurses were conducted in December 2014, and in January and February 2015 through the collaboration of Philippine Embassy in London, POLO-London, and the Filipino communities.

POLO-London also continues to meet with UK and Ireland-based foreign placement agencies (FPAs) to further discuss the requirements in hiring Filipino nurses.

During the meetings, some UK-based FPAs expressed intent to help Filipino nurse-applicants by sending resource persons that will assist in reviewing for the CBT and by providing incentives to those who will pass the IELTS through refunds. Other FPAs also thought of setting up a review center for their pool of applicants.

Moreover, there are agencies already accredited with POEA that have expressed intention to tie up with a second agency just to meet the number of Filipino nurses to be hired for their new UK NHS or home care clients.

“Given that UK employers express preference to source nurses from the Philippines, we are looking forward to additional job orders for our Filipino nurses in the coming months,” Baldoz finally said. (ALDMajan)

Filipino nursing staff at a UK hospital.

DOLE Good News

3May 2015

Jobseekers who went to any of the DOLE’s 56 Labor Day Jobs and Livelihood Fairs across the country

should not worry about not getting hired-on-the-spot (HOTS) by companies because the job fairs, despite being only a one-day event, will continue to process applications from job applicants.

This is the message of Labor and Employment Secretary Rosalinda Dimapilis-Baldoz yesterday as she explained that some employers may require qualified applicants to undergo their respective processes before they finally decide to hire.

“Selecting job applicants can be a tough challenge for employers. They may need more time to review job applications, to go over details of their credentials, and to interview candidates,” Baldoz said.

“Time invested in careful hiring procedures saves time and helps lessen incompatible job placements, which in the long run, will contribute to the goal of providing decent and productive work for all,” she explained.

“So, my advice to applicants is to be optimistic and be a little patient. The processing and hiring by the employers will continue after the job fair, and the DOLE will monitor that,” she added.

Baldoz noted that since jobseekers have been required to register, they can be assured that their job applications will not be put to waste as these will be closely monitored by the Bureau of Local Employment (BLE), through its jobs matching facility, the Phil-Job.Net.

Citing the preliminary report of the Bureau of Local Employment, the labor and employment chief said this year’s nationwide Job Fairs marked a total of 71,922 registered applicants. Of the number, a total of 41,604 jobseekers vied for local vacancies; while 10,910 jobseekers opted overseas employment.

“The 11,154 applicants who got hired-on-the-spot represented over 20.8 percent of the total registered jobseekers who have qualified. This year, we added a total of 10,002 individuals in our local workforce, and 1,152 individuals for overseas,” said Baldoz.

Region 3 had topped the list of regions with the highest number of HOTS with 2,475; followed by RO 4A with 2,460; RO 12 with 1,434; Region 11 with 1,384; CAR with 570; Region 7 with 456; NCR

11,154 HOTS expected to increase: Employers to continue to process Jobs and Livelihood Fair applications, Baldoz says

with 413; Region 10 with 387; Region 1 with 334; Region 8 with 265; CARAGA with 264; Region 9 with 247; Region 6 with 205; Region 4B with 127; Region 5 with 116; and Region 2 with 17.

In terms of percentage of HOTS over qualified applicants, RO 12 gained the highest rank with an astounding 52 percent. This is followed by seven more regions that achieved the 20% target HOTS for the year, as follows: RO 11 with 36.7 percent; CARAGA with 34.3 percent; RO10 with 32.1 percent; CAR with 24.2 percent; RO9 with 24.1 percent; RO 3 with 23.5 percent; and RO1 with 21.0 percent.

Baldoz said the number of HOTS may still increase as there are DOLE regional offices, which have not completed their submission of reports because they extended their job fairs to another day in May.

Meanwhile, there are 53,751 jobseekers out of the registered applicants were assessed for further interview, 45,225 ‘near-hire’ job applicants; and 1,405 were referred to the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) to avail of the free skills training and upgrading that they need to qualify for the job.

The DOLE was also able to assist 226 individuals, of which 93 are male, and 133 are female, to avail livelihood assistance through the department’s various programs and services.

“Jobseekers must not easily get discouraged if they were not be hired on 1 May. The BLE, through its enhanced Phil-Job.Net, will now be able to observe the status of each registered applicants. Employers may refer to the system for filling-up their existing job vacancies and, if necessary, we will make the referrals,” Baldoz explained.

The 2015 Labor Day celebration is anchored on the theme, “Disenteng Trabaho at Kabuhayan, Alay Natin sa Bayan,” which highlights employment facilitation through strengthened convergence with tripartite partners.

The DOLE led the festivities, getting support from its partners, namely; PESO Quezon City; Pag-Ibig; PhilHealth; PALSCON; Smart International; Sun Prepaid; Insular Life; Philippine Daily Inquirer; Manila Bulletin; Philippine Star; and Federation of Filipino Chinese Chamber of Commerce, Inc. (HJTG)

DOLE Undersecretary for Employment Reydeluz Conferido (5th from right); Federation of Filipino-Chinese Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Inc. (FFCCCIII) President Angel Ngo; PALSCON President Arturo Guerrero III; DOLE Assistant Secretary Gloria Tango; NCR Regional Director Alex Avila; POEA Chief Hans Leo Cacdac; Job Fair Sponsors and other FFCCCII and DOLE officials lead the ceremonial ribbon cutting during the opening of DOLE 2015 Labor Day Job and Livelihood Fair held at the PICC, CCP Complex, Pasay City.

4 May 2015

DOLE Good News

Fresh graduates and other first time jobseekers who are about to join the labor market are sure to

find job hunting a lot easier and exciting as the DOLE has teamed up with the Commission on Higher Education in the deployment of additional job search kiosks (JSKs) across the country’s 16 regions.

Labor and Employment Secretary Rosalinda Dimapilis-Baldoz said this yesterday at the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the higher education agency to promote access to employment for jobseekers. The MOU signing, held at the CHED Conference Room, Higher Education Development Center Building, C.P. Garcia Avenue, U.P. Diliman, Quezon City, on 22 May, was attended by Baldoz, and other officials from DOLE, Undersecretary ReydeluzConferido, DOLE Assistant Secretary Katherine Brimon, DOLE-NCR Director Alex Avila, Bureau of Local Employment Director Dominique Tutay, and Labor Communications Office Director NiconFameronag.

CHED Chairperson Patricia Licuanan also graced the event, together with other CHED Officials, namely: Executive Director Julito D. Vitriolo; Office of Planning, Research and Knowledge Management (OPRKM) Director

DOLE teams up with CHED on employment facilitation, deployment of new JSKs

Napoleon Juanillo Jr.; CHED Regional Office 4-B Director Virginia Akiate; and Office of Student Development and Services Director (OSDS) Cesar Medina.

“We have found a strong ally in CHED which, as part of the government’s Human Development and Poverty Reduction (HDPR) Cluster, has passionately shown interest and worked hard in addressing the issue of job-skills mismatch and high incidence of youth unemployment,” said Baldoz.

“I thank CHED for believing in the JSKs as an effective employment strategy. The signed MOU further seals our advocacy to bring jobs closer to all,” she added.

A Job Search Kiosk is an information portal housed in an ATM-type, stand-alone equipment, which provides information on local/overseas job opportunities and other employment-related information. It helps job seekers to fast-track access to relevant information on job openings, and employers’ hiring or upgrading requirements through TESDA programs and BLE career guides.

As spelt out in the MOU, the DOLE will provide 17 JSKs to CHED, which will place these at the Labor Market Information (LMI) corners in identified state universities and colleges (SUCs).

The JSKs deployed shall include in its software access to the CHED website and other related modules as follows: tuition fee per unit in the SUC to which it is located; Higher Education Institution (HEIs) master list; higher education enrollment statistics; and enrollment in Science, Technology, Engineering, Agri-Fisheries, and Mathematics (STEAM) program.

The labor and employment chief said that today’s young generation, known as “millennials,” are career-minded young people who grew up in an age of high-performance computers.

“The JSK’s svelte appearance and touch-screen feature are intended to attract more young jobseekers. The DOLE has tapped the power of ICT to address the job search need and guide the youth in building their career paths; and brought it down to the grassroots level,” Baldoz said.

Dominique R. Tutay, Director of the Bureau of Local Employment (BLE), said that on top of the 17 JSKs transferred to CHED, the DOLE has completed the deployment of 183 other JSKs in various DOLE offices, bureaus, and attached agencies since March 2015.

Of the 183 JSKs, 5 units are located in the DOLE Central Office in Intramuros, Manila; and one each in TESDA, PRC, and POEA. Others are deployed in the following DOLE Regional Offices: DOLE RO-9 with 15 units; DOLE RO-NCR with 6 units; DOLE ROs-2, 6, 7, 9, and 12 with 12 units each; DOLE ROs-5, 8, 11, CARAGA, and CAR with 11 units each; DOLE ROs-1, 4-A, and 4-B with 10 units each; and DOLE RO-3 with 9 units.

On top of the new JSKs deployed, other 109 old-model JSKs remains functioning in various DOLE ROs, and Public Employment Service Offices.

“The deployment of the kiosks is a boost to sustaining the progress of employment facilitation and in investing in the country’s human resource as pillars of decent work towards inclusive growth,” Baldoz said.

“The task of facilitating job matching and placement of job seekers as one of DOLE’s strategies is enriched with the aid of information and communications technology. The JSK serves as a virtual jobs fair site which will regularly churn out employment opportunities in the job market,” she added. (HJTG)

Labor and Employment Secretary Rosalinda Dimapilis-Baldoz; Commission on Higher Education Chairperson Patricia Licuanan; CHED Executive Director Julito Vitriolo; and DOLE Undersecretary Reydeluz Conferido surf the Job Search Kiosk’s Labor Market Information (LMI) for jobseekers after the signing of the DOLE and CHED’s MOU on JobSearch Kiosk deployment to CHED Regional Offices held at the CHED Auditorium in Quezon City.

DOLE Good News

5May 2015

DOLE Good News

At CBA signing in PASAR, Baldoz notes positive impact of reforms in labor-management relations

Labor and Employment Secretary Rosalinda Dimapilis-Baldoz chose the signing of the collective bargaining agreement (CBA) between the Philippine Associated

Smelter and Refining Corporation (PASAR) and its union, Concerned Organization of PASAR Progressive Employees for Reform (COPPER), on the eve of Labor Day to highlight the positive of impact of DOLE reforms on the changing landscape of labor-management relations.

Speaking at the CBA signing at the Radisson Blu in Cebu City, Baldoz said she noticed there is now a commendable culture of cooperation between labor and management, a new level of maturity that is beginning to show in many unionized establishments in the country.

“What we see now, in the case of PASAR, is more productive dialogue, more collaboration, and more openness that could only lead to harmonious labor-management relations, which in turn will result to enterprise stability, productivity, competitiveness, and growth,” Baldoz said.

PASAR owns and operates the only copper smelter and refinery in the Philippines. Last week, PASAR management and COPPER, the workers’ sole and exclusive bargaining unit, signed their 2015-2017 collective bargaining agreement without third party intervention, a first in the company’s 39-year history.

“PASAR has a long and turbulent history with COPPER. In the past, Collective bargaining negotiations have always been problematic,” said Feliciano OrihuelaJr. ,Directorof the National Conciliation Mediation Board.

The last CBA negotiations in PASAR were concluded in 2012 after the management and the union filed with the DOLE West Leyte Field Office a request for assistance under the DOLE’s Single Entry Approach (SEnA) mechanism, a reform initiated by Secretary Baldoz that provides a 30-day mediation-conciliation of any dispute that prevents it from ripening into a formal labor case. This approach is now formed as law.

Baldoz said that it is not a surprise for both parties to conclude their latest CBA without any help from the DOLE.

“Labor-management coopera-tion (LMC) is working—and pro-

duced this result—in PASAR. It is working and producing results in many other companies,” said Baldoz, as she com-mended both parties for displaying a new level of maturity and responsibility that enabled them to bridge their differ-ences without resorting to third party intervention.

At the CBA signing, it was attended by PASAR President and Chief Executive Officer Adam Purkis, Arthur Estrera, COPPER Union President, and other PASAR executives, union, and DOLE officials, Baldoz emphasized the successful conclusion of the CBA between the two parties that should be strengthenedfor more mutual trust, respect, and cooperation between the management and the workers.

“We have now sound and sustainable industrial relations atmosphere which is very encouraging and conducive for foreign investments,” Baldoz said, after noting that PASAR is now in the midst of an expansion in its plant in Isabel, Leyte.

“In fact, with the fast conclusion of your CBA without our intervention, I don’t mind that you render us irrelevant,” Baldoz quipped.

Purkis, on his part, expressed appreciation to Secretary Baldoz for taking time off to witness the CBA signing.

“It’s a contract of commitment that as partners, the management and union will keep communicating, keep talking, in a very honest, very open manner,” Purkis said.

Union president Estrera likewise expressed his thanks to the management and the DOLE, saying union members will enjoy more socio-economic benefits because of the union’s cordial and open partnership with PASAR management.

Also with Baldoz witnessing the signing of the CBA were Undersecretary Ciriaco Lagunzad III, Assistant Secretary Katherine Brimon, Regional Office No. 8 Director Elias Cayanong, and Regional Office No.7 Director Exequiel Sarcauga.

Adam Purkis (3rd from left), President and Chief Executive Officer of the Philippine Associated Smelting and Refining Corporation (PASAR) and Arthur W. Estrera, President of PASAR’s Copper Union shake hands after signing their collective bargaining agreement, with Labor and Employment Secretary Rosalinda Dimapilis-Baldoz (2nd from right) and DOLE-RO8 Regional Director Elias Cayanong, as witness. Other PASAR and Copper Union officials join in the photo.

DOLE Good News

6 May 2015

With a wide grin, Armando Anteneo recalled how rainwater used to drip through their house’s roof. That was roughly three months ago, before he was

engaged under the Department of Labor and Employment’s Tulong Panghanapbuhay sa ating Disadvantaged/Displaced Workers or TUPAD.

Since then, things have changed for the better for Armando.“Malaki ang naitulong ng TUPAD sa aking pamilya. Dahil dito,

naipagawa naming ang bubong ng aming bahay na tumutulo tuwing umuulan,” Armando said.

The 39-year-old Pangasinense was among the 105 TUPAD beneficiaries from the Western Pangasinan in 2014. From 16 December last year to 4 February 2015, he worked as a carpenter at the Lingayen District Hospital, an experience he said he will treasure for the rest of his life. For his work, he received P7,590 as salary from the DOLE Regional Office No. 1.

“Taos puso akong nagpapasalamat sa DOLE at sa local na pamahalaan ng Pangasinan sa pamamagitan ng PESO. Hinding-hindi ko makakalimutan ang nagging karanasan ko sa ilalim ng TUPAD. Sa edad kong ito, hindi ko akalain na magagami tko pa ang aking kakayahan sa pagkakarpintero,” Armando shared.

Marginalized and vulnerable workers, like Armando, comprise the bulk of DOLE’s beneficiaries under theTUPAD, essentially an anti-poverty program.

The TUPAD is a community-based package of assistance that provides emergency employment for displaced workers, underemployed, and unemployed poor, for a minimum period of 10 days, but not to exceed a maximum of 30 days, depending on the nature of work to be performed.

According to Regional Director Grace Ursua, the regional office has assisted 4,880 persons under TUPAD since 2012, disbursing a total of P22-M (P22,161,044) in total financial assistance to cover the salaries of the beneficiaries. The assistance also included micro insurance coverage and provisions for personal protective equipment (PPE).

Of the total number of beneficiaries, 2,435 were displaced workers or those whose livelihood have been affected by calamities or extreme weather disturbances, while 2,445 were regular TUPAD beneficiaries.

By province, the TUPAD beneficiaries were distributed as follows: Pangasinan, 2,023; La Union, 1,659; Ilocos Sur, 450; and IlocosNorte, 320.

Ursua, in a report to Labor and Employment Secretary Baldoz, said the 4,880 TUPAD beneficiaries were employed in clearing of barangay roads, de-clogging of canals and waterways, cleaning and grubbing of earth dikes, waste management, rehabilitation of barangay roads, minor repair of school buildings, hospitals and other public facilities, among others.

“The DOLE regional office is privileged to have been instrumental in assisting communities and individuals towards recovery and towards building their capacities through TUPAD. The interventions might be short-term, but we are happy to receive information from the field that these have long-term impact on our beneficiaries,” Ursua said. (ArLy STA. ANA-VALDez)

P22-M in livelihood assistance spent for 4,880 beneficiaries since 2012: DOLE’s TUPAD helps Pangasinense rebuild home

That the dream lies in hard work, determination and a good education is true for Jeffry Imperial.

The 25-year-old Labor and Employment Officer II looks calm as he breezes through his daily activities at the Public Employment Service Office (PESO) of Rosales, Pangasinan. But inside him is the ever burning desire to do more and be better.

A native of San Angel, Rosales, Pangasinan, Jeff narrated his struggles and triumphs, and how the Department of Labor and Employment’s Special Program for the Employment of Students or SPES has been part of the fulfillment of his dreams.

Born to a part-time automotive mechanic father and a housewife mother, Jeff had to stop schooling after graduating from high school in 2006. “But I thought I can achieve something with the measly resources that I had,” he said.

He then worked as a service crew in a fast food chain and enrolled in a one-year voc-tech course on Mechanical Technology major in refrigeration and air conditioning.

After earning competencies, he resigned as a service crew and applied at the Coca-Cola plant in Calasiao, Pangasinan where he worked as refrigeration and air conditioning technician for six months. During that time, he started a two-year course on

Business and Information Management and finished it in 2010.His search for better employment opportunities landed him a

job at the PESO Rosales. Although his employment status was initially temporary, it was his stay in the PESO that opened brighter opportunities for him.

While there, he felt it was the right time to pursue his dream of finishing a four-year course, but knew he did not have sufficient resources to fulfill it, so he applied for a scholarship with the local government unit. He was advised to avail of the SPES, as his daily wage was only P150. Aside from his personal expenses, Jeff also supports his family.

For four years, he juggled work and studies. He recalled how he would feel so tired after coming home from school at night. But determination and time management put him through the complexities of his life, he said.

Asked about what he gained from SPES, Jeff answered that the program took care of his tuition fees and text books.

“Like the eagle’s wings, it will carry you to your dreams,” was how he described the SPES.

In April 2014, he graduated with a degree on BS Accountancy, and was appointed LEO II of the PESO Rosales in April 2015.

His most immediate plan is to gear up for the CPA board examination, he shared.

“For the meantime, I am enjoying my work at the PESO,” he told adding that his functions include attending to and preparing case reports of distressed migrant workers, assisting in the implementation of TESDA programs, preparing project proposals, and implementing the Skills Registry System (SRS).

“The DOLE is doing a great help to the poor youth who aspire. I am a living proof,” he quipped.

The SPES is a bridging employment program, where the students are able to earn for their educational needs through their employment in participating companies, agencies or local government units during summer and/or Christmas vacations. Under the program, the student-worker receives 60 percent of his/her salary from the employer and 40 percent from the DOLE. (AValdez)

From service crewto labor officer:a SPES baby’sjourney tohis dreams

DOLE Good News

7May 2015

Labor and Employment Secretary Rosalinda Dimapilis-Baldoz laud-ed the National Wages and Pro-

ductivity Commission (NWPC) and the Regional Tripartite Wages and Productiv-ity Boards (RTWPBs) for their diligent efforts to adjust the minimum wages in the country to a level above the poverty threshold, as she announced that the Re-gional Tripartite Wage and Productivity Board in Region 4-B had adjusted the minimum wage rates in the region by be-tween P5.00 to P30.00, deliverable in four tranches effective 1 May 2015.

“The RTWPB in the MIMAROPA region, headed by DOLE Regional Di-rector Teodoro Delson, has approved Wage Order No. IV-B-7, which raises the minimum wages in the region to a level higher than the poverty income threshold,” said Baldoz.

“I commend the NWPC and the RTWPBs for their determination to ad-just the minimum wages in the country so that these will be at par, if not over, the poverty threshold, by the end of 2015. Most of the wage rates nation-wide are now compliant with Tier 1 of the Two-Tier Wage System, a major re-form of the DOLE,” she added.

In a report to the Secretary, Director Delson said the first tranche of the in-crease under the order is the integration into the basic pay of the existing P5.00 Cost of Living Allowance (COLA), which is provided under the previous Wage Order No. IV-B-06. This shall take effect on 1 May 2015.

He said the wage board deemed it wise to increase the minimum wage so that it reaches a decent level above the poverty threshold, but still be reason-able and equitable.

The second tranche of the wage ad-justment will be on 1 November 2015; the third tranche will be on 1 May 2016; and the fourth tranche will be on 1 No-vember, also of the same year.

Wage Order No. IV-B-7 eliminates the minimum wage rates in the region which are below the poverty threshold. Before the issuance of the newest wage order, three wage rates in the MIMA-ROPA area were still below the region’s poverty threshold of P212 per day.

These are the wage rate of P210 per day for Calapan City and Puerto Galera, Ori-ental Mindoro, and El Nido and Coron in Palawan; P207 per day for the 1st class municipalities of MIMAROPA and P205 per day for the rest of the region.

Upon the wage order’s effectivity on 1 May, the minimum wage rate in Puerto Princesa City, classified as a highly-urban-ized city, shall range from P220 to P280 per day.

In Calapan City and Puerto Galera in Oriental Mindoro and El Nido and Coron in Palawan, this shall range from P215 to P275 per day.

Minimum wage earners in first class municipalities in the region shall enjoy minimum wage rates of between P212 to P265 per day, while minimum wage earn-ers in the rest of the region shall have a minimum wage rate of P210 to P260 per day.

On 1 November 2015, when the second tranche of the wage adjustment takes ef-fect, the minimum wage rate in Puerto Princesa City shall range from P225 to P285 per day.

In Calapan City and Puerto Galera and in El Nido and Coron, the daily wage rate shall range from P220 to P280 per day. Minimum wage earners in first class mu-nicipalities in the region shall receive wage rates of P217 to P270 per day, while the rest of the region shall have a minimum wage rate of P217 to P265 per day.

For the third tranche on 1 May 2016, minimum wage earners in Puerto Princ-esa City shall enjoy minimum wage pay of P230 to P285 per day; Calapan City and Puerto Galera and in El Nido and

Coron shall enjoy minimum wage rates ranging from P225 to P285 per day; those in in first class municipalities and those in the rest of the region shall enjoy minimum wage rates of P225 to P275 per day.

Finally, when the fourth tranche takes effect on 1 November 2016, the minimum wage rate in the region shall be a uniform range of between P235 to P285 per day.

For private sector minimum wage earn-ers in the mining sector, regardless of loca-tion, their rates will rise from P280 per day effective 1 May 2015 to P285 per day on 1 November 2015.

Aside from Region 4-B, there are still five regions which have wage rates below the poverty threshold. These are Regions 1, 3, 5, and 13.

The wage increase prescribed in Wage Order No. IV-B-07 applies to all private sector minimum wage workers in the region, regardless of their position, des-ignation or status of employment, and irrespective of the method by which their wages are paid.

However, the order does not cover household or domestic helpers, persons in the personal service of another, including family drivers and workers of duly regis-tered Barangay Micro-Business Enterpris-es with Certificate of Authority, pursuant to R.A. 9178.

Also under the new wage order, the pre-scribed minimum wage rates for covered workers of construction, security, janito-rial, and similar services shall be borne by the principals or clients and contracts shall be deemed amended accordingly.

The wage order also does not allow exemption, and encourages private busi-nesses to adopt productivity improvement schemes to sustain rising levels of wages and to enhance competitiveness.

Delson said the wage order arose from a petition of the Association of Minimum Wage Earners and Advocates for a wage hike of P185 per day which it filed on 21 January 2015.

The wage board, he said, conducted public hearings and consultations on the said petition in San Jose, Occidental Min-doro; Calapan City; Odiongan, Romblon; Puerto Princesa City; and Boac, Marin-duque on 9, 11, 20, and 24 March 2015 and on 15 April 2015. (CTM)

In MIMAROPA, regional wage board grants P5 to P30 minimum wage increase; wage rates now higher than poverty income threshold

Nagpahayag ng kagalakan si Kalihim Rosalinda Dimapilis-Baldoz ng Paggawa at Hanapbuhay sa pagbuti ng turismo ng Pilipinas batay sa nakasaad

sa World economic Forum’s Travel and Competitiveness report 2015, at ito ay nagpahayag na ang suporta ng DOLE sa pagbuti ng turismo ay dahil na rin sa patuloy na pagpapatupad ng bagong Labor Law Compliance System (LLCS), kung saan madaragdagan ang mga lugar-turismo na idideklarang labor law compliant sa mga darating na buwan.

“Idineklara natin na labor law compliant ang limang lugar na pinupuntahan ng mga turista —Guimaras Is.; Boracay Is.; Camiguin Is.; Dinagat Is.; at Siargao Islands. Nakatakda kaming magdeklara ng iba pang lugar-turismo sa darating na buwan. Tinutulungan nang ating DOLE regional offices ang mga establisyamento na tumupad sa lahat ng batas-paggawa, pamantayan at regulasyon ukol sa occupational safety at health, at batas laban sa pag-eempleyo ng mga kabataan bago natin ideklara ang isang lugar-turismo bilang labor laws compliant at bago kami makapagtayo ng marker sa isang lugar-turismo,” aniya.

“Kasunod na ang Baler sa Aurora at Vigan sa Ilocos Sur,” dagdag niya.

Kamakailan, inilabas ng World economic Forum ang Travel and Tourism Competitiveness report 2015 nito kung saan ang Pilipinas ay nasa ika-74 sa 141 bansa sa tourism competitiveness, mataas ng 8-marka mula sa nakaraang antas na ika-82 (2013).

Nakasaad sa ulat na ang Pilipinas ay nakatanggap ng mataas na marka sa “price competitiveness and prioritization of travel and tourism and international openness”.

Ayon kay Baldoz, mula nang ipatupad ang Labor Laws Compliance System, o LLCS, noong isang taon, patuloy na tinitingnan ng DOLE ang pagsunod ng mga establisyamento sa bansa sa mga lugar-turismo na may layuning itakda ang mga ito bilang labor law compliant. Sa bawat destinasyon, ang DOLE ay naglalagay ng marker para makita ng lahat ng turista.

Nagpahayag ng suporta sa DOLE si Kalihim Ramon Jimenez ng Turismo, kung saan kanyang winika na ito ay makabubuti para sa lahat ng turista, manggagawa at mamumuhunan.

“Sa pagdedeklara at paglalagay ng marker, umaasa kami na maipapahayag sa buong mundo na ang lahat ng establisyamento na nagbibigay ng produkto at serbisyo sa mga turista ay nagbibigay ng tamang sahod at benepisyo

at sila ay ligtas at malusog sa kani-kanilang lugar-pagawaan,” paliwanag ni Baldoz. “Dahil dito, inaasahan naming na mas maraming turista ang darating,” dagdag pa niya.

Noong 2014, may 4.9 milyong turista ang bumisita sa bansa, 3.2 porsiyento ng mahigit sa dumating na turista noong 2013. Tinataya na ang isang turista ay gumagastos

Baldoz, nagalak sa pagtataas ng WEF sa antas ng turismo dulot ng pagsunod sa batas-paggawa

ng may US$1,00 habang narito sa bansa, kalahati rito ay para sa kanilang tinutuluyan, pagkain, at inumin. “Mas maraming turista ay nangangahulugan ng mas maraming trabaho,” ani Baldoz.

Sa ilalim ng LCCS, ang mga establisyamento, kasama na ang mga nasa turismo, tinitingnan kung sila ay tumutupad sa mga batas-paggawa at binibigyan ng Certificates of Compliance.

Sa pagkakataon na may kakulangan ang isang establisyamento, ang DOLE, sa pamamagitan ng 574 Labor Laws Compliance Officers (LLCOs), ay nagbibigay ng tulong teknikal at serbisyo upang agad itong maiwasto at makapag-sumite ng mga plano para sa lubos na pagtupad sa batas-paggawa. (GMeA)

TULONG SA TURISMO BILANG KAUNA-UNAHANG LABOR LAWS-COMPLIANT TOURIST DESTINATION SA MINDANAO. Masayang nagpakuha ng larawan sina Kalihim Rosalinda Dimapilis-Baldoz (ika-apat mula kanan)ng DOLE, kasama ang ilang opisyal ng Lalawigan ng Camiguin na pinangungunahan ni Gob. Jurdin Jesus M. Romualdo sa ilalim ng isang higanteng telon na nagdedeklara sa Camiguin bilang kauna-unahang Labor Laws Compliant Tourist Destination sa Mindanao. Kasama sa larawan sina DOLE-RO 10 Regional Director Raymundo Agravante (ika-lima mula kaliwa); at iba pang opisyal ng DOLE at ng pamahalaang panlalawigan ng Camiguin. (Larawan mula sa DOLE-RO 10)