21,000 Job Applicants, Hired-On-The-SpotAbout twenty-one thousand job applicants were Hired-On-The-Spot (HOTS) in the Department of Labor and Employment’s (DOLE) conduct of a nationwide Job Fair in celebration of the Labor Day on May 1. The annual activity centered on the theme, Manggagawang Pilipino: Handa sa Hamon ng Makabagong Panahon, which speaks of the Filipino workers’ innate ability to adapt to the changing environment and their resilience in facing difficulties.

This year’s Labor Day nationwide job fair was deemed successful as it resulted to 20,995 HOTS (20.7%) out of the 101,250 qualified applicants, impressively exceeded the targeted 15% HOTS. To note, the percentage of HOTS in 2012 was 18.9%; 2011 record was 17.5%.

Of the total number of HOTS this year, 87% were placed for local employment while the remaining 13% were for overseas employment. It is expected that the number of hired applicants will still increase as 85,811 vied for further interview.

Jobseekers flock to SM Naga for the Labor Day Job Fair. (c) DOLE Region 5

Also, a one-stop-shop jointly facilitated by the National Statistics Office (NSO), National Bureau of Investigation (NBI), PhilHealth, Social Security System (SSS), Professional Regulation Commission (PRC), and Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) offered various government services which were made available to the jobseekers to help them with their requirements when applying for a job.The Bureau of Local Employment (BLE) monitored the conduct of the nationwide job fair. There were 2,777 local and 656 overseas companies offering 253,478 job vacancies who participated in the 73 job fair venues nationwide.

DOLE promotes Batas KasambahayRepublic Act 10361 or more popularly known as the Batas Kasambahay was signed into law by President Benigno Aquino on 18 January 2013. The bill sets to identify domestic workers as similar to those in the formal sector, recognizing and promoting their rights and welfare, as well as providing them with social protection. The law took effect on 4 June 2013.

The DOLE, through the BLE, published a career information pamphlet on Household Service Workers (HSWs) to coincide with the implementation of the recently enacted legislation. According to a press release by the DOLE, Secretary Rosalinda Dimapilis-Baldoz noted the agency’s strategy to raise public awareness and understanding by utilizing social media as a tool for the release of information, education and communication materials (IECs) like the career information pamphlet on HSW.

Career Information Pamphlet on Household Service Worker.

“The pamphlet features information regarding said occupation such as educational requirements, skills and competencies, attributes/characteristics, salary, compensation, prospects for career advancement, employment opportunities, and cost of training.

“Most of us often forget that our house help serves us so we can pursue our dreams, and careers, and so we can go to places while they man and keep our homes spic and span. With this law in effect, domestic helpers may now enjoy protection from physical and emotional abuse and allowing them to pursue education and training for development of skills.”

–Secretary Rosalinda Dimapilis-Baldoz

BLE and PESOPhil, Inc. prepares for the 13th National PESO CongressTo set the initial preparations for the upcoming 13th National PESO Congress, the BLE and the National Federation of PESO Managers (PESOPhil, Inc.) held their 1st Quarterly Meeting at the Makati Friendship Suites, Makati City on 21-23 March 2013.

The first day of the activity served as a venue for brainstorming of possible themes for the upcoming PESO Congress. Delineation of tasks amongst BLE, PESOPhil, and the DOLE Region 8 (as the host region) was also tackled. On the second day, Ms. Evelyn Dacumos of BLE discussed to the PESOPhil officers the Revised Search for Best PESO (SBP) Manual. Suggestions and comments from the Officers were noted for inclusion in the final draft of the Revised SBP Manual. The three-day activity was graced by DOLE-NCR Assistant Director Nelson Hornilla and DOLE Makati-Pasay Field Office Head, Ms. Rowella Grande. PESOPhil, Inc. officers suggesting themes for the PESO Congress.

DOLE pushes capacity building for trainers against illegal traffickingThe DOLE, through the BLE, held a series of training workshops for regional implementers of the Manual of Procedures in Handling Complaints on Trafficking in Persons, Illegal Recruitment, and Child Labor. The BLE invited resource speakers from the Bureau of Workers with Special Concerns (BWSC) to discuss child labor, the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA) for illegal recruitment for overseas employment, and the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) for reintegration and after care of victims.

The first batch of the Luzon group (Regions I, II, III, and CAR) had their training on 20-22 February 2013 at Bayview Park Hotel, Manila, while the second batch (Regions IV-A, IV-B, and NCR) had theirs on 20-22 March 2013 at Parang Beach Resort, Calapan City. The training for the Visayas group (Regions VI, VII, and VIII) on the other hand, was held on 6-8 March 2013 at Cityscape Hotel, Mandaue City.

The workshop aims to provide the participants adequate understanding of the roles and functions in the management of cases, of the specific and uniform procedures that must be adopted/followed in handling complaints relative to the above stated cases, as well as immediate assistance to the victims.

July-September ActivitiesNational Manpower Summit•  Multi-stakeholder Consulation on Skilled Occupational•  

Shortage List (SOSL)Capacity Building Seminar for Registered Guidance•  Counselors and Career AdvocatesLaunch of the DOLE-ADB Technical Assistance Project,•  Employment for Inclusive Growth

Editorial Board:OIC-Director Jose SandovalMs. Ruth RodriguezMs. Jasper Joy Bayog

DOLE-NCR participants discussing during a group activity.

Contributing Writers:Ms. Cheryl LacernaMs. Marie Iris PrietoMr. Kempee Royce Cruz

Layout Artists:Mr. Michael MaghariMs. Jasper Joy Bayog