CITY OF SAN FERNANDO, Pampanga (PIA) — The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) is actively promoting employment and safeguarding workers’ rights in Central Luzon.
During the 17th episode of the Kapihan sa Bagong Pilipinas of the Philippine Information Agency, DOLE Assistant Regional Director Alejandro Inza Cruz emphasized the agency’s efforts to create meaningful employment, enhance human resources, and protect worker welfare, all while maintaining industrial peace.
“Our aim is to ensure that every Filipino worker enjoys full, decent, and protected employment,” he stated.
DOLE’s team of over 400 staff in the region drives labor initiatives, playing a key role in achieving this vision.
Cruz highlighted the success of the agency’s year-round job fairs, which effectively connect job seekers with employers.
At the Labor Day job fair, over 5,432 participants applied for more than 34,000 available vacancies, with 290 applicants hired on the spot.
Similarly, the June 12 Independence Day job fair attracted 3,644 attendees, resulting in 246 immediate hires.
Altogether, DOLE’s job fairs this year have led to over 3,000 on-the-spot hires.
“These job fairs are essential in addressing unemployment and providing immediate work opportunities for Filipinos,” Cruz noted.
In addition to facilitating employment, DOLE actively ensures labor standards compliance across key industries.
This year, the agency inspected more than 4,000 establishments, focusing on sectors such as manufacturing, construction, agribusiness, and business process outsourcing. These inspections address workplace issues and uphold workers’ rights.
“We remain committed to keeping workplaces compliant and protecting the rights of workers,” Cruz stressed.
He also underscored DOLE’s flagship livelihood programs, which assist disadvantaged workers.
Through the DOLE Integrated Livelihood Program, nearly 5,000 beneficiaries in Central Luzon received P65 million in livelihood support this year.
Among the recipients were 590 parents of child laborers, who received livelihood packages designed to lift their children out of hazardous labor and ensure sustainable incomes.
“Supporting parents of child laborers is key to combating child labor and helping families break the cycle of poverty,” Cruz explained.
Other beneficiaries included 83 jeepney drivers and operators affected by the public utility vehicle modernization program. DOLE provided P30,000 worth of in-kind assistance to help them start small businesses, such as goat and hog raising, ice cream selling, and LPG retailing.
Additionally, the agency extended grocery and rice retailing packages to 44 parolees to support their reintegration into society.
DOLE’s emergency employment program has also served as a critical source of relief, providing temporary jobs to 175,810 individuals this year and disbursing P966.96 million in wages. These programs offer short-term employment while empowering workers to contribute to their communities.
Furthermore, in collaboration with the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology, DOLE facilitated temporary work for 449 persons deprived of liberty through activities such as grass cutting, waste segregation, and vegetable planting.
“These programs not only provide immediate assistance but also restore workers’ dignity by enabling them to contribute to society,” Cruz added.
Through its range of employment, labor law compliance, and livelihood support programs, the agency continues to make significant strides in improving the lives of Filipino workers in Central Luzon.
SOURCE: Rick P. Quiambao PIA3
