필리핀 EPS ( 외국인 고용허가제) 근로자 협회 공식 발행 – 대 한민국

The Voice of the Modern Living Heroes

The Official Publication of Fil ipino EPS Workers Association -South Korea (FEWA)

Volume 2 Issue 15 2011 www.sulyapinoy.org NOT FOR SALE

필리핀 EPS (외국인 고용허가제) 근로자 협회 공식 발행 – 대 한민국

OFW-KOREA-2006-001

By Benjie del Mundo

People and God-centered Association

PHOTO by M. SERDENA

The Labor Day celebration was held on May 8 at the Tongson Middle School Soccer Field, Hye-hwa-dong, Seoul. Organized by Hyewa-dong Filipino Catholic Center (HFCC) and Filipino EPS Workers Association (FEWA), the successful event was attended by various Filipino communities,

Koreans and other foreigners.

The celebration featured a Filipino

food festival, as well as labor

counseling services provided by

Korea Human Resource Depart-

ment (HRD), the Philippine Em-

bassy. Representatives from

Korea - Philippine Overseas Labor

Office and OWWA were also

present, along with the National

Pension Service, which provided

verification for workers for up-

dates on their pension contribu-

tions.

H unyo 12, 18 98 nang ipahayag

ni Gen.Emilio Aguinaldo sa Kawit,

Cavite ang kalayaan ng Pilipinas mula

sa mga Kastila. Kalayaan mula sa mga

dayuhang sumakop sa ating bansa.

Simula noon taon-taon na nating

inaalala at ipinagdiriwang ang ang isa

sa mahalagang bahagi ng kasaysayan

ng ating bansa. Bawat Pilipino saan

mang bahagi ng mundo ay nagdiri-

wang bilang pag alala sa kalayaang

ipinaglaban ng ating mga ninuno.

Bagama't nauna sa orihinal na araw at

buwan, ipinagnagdiwang ng mga

migranteng Pilipino dito sa Korea ang

ika-113 taon anibersaryo ng kalayaan

ng ating bansa, noong ika-29 ng Mayo,

2011. Ang pagdiriwang ay pinanguna-

han ng mga opisyal mula sa Emba-

hada ng Pilipinas sa Korea. At nagbi-

gay din ng tulong ang Ministry of Em-

ployment and Labor, Human Re-

sources Development of Korea, Seoul

Metropolitan Government at ang

Home Development Mutual Fund

(PAG-IBIG) sa pagdaraos nito.

Ginanap ang ang naturang okasyon sa

Celebrating Labor Day and International Migrants Month

By Noel Joseph Alvarez Banking and remittance promotions were held by Landbank of the Philippines and Western Union, while there were booking services provided by Philippine Airlines and PhilTrust.

FEWA, together with Sulyapinoy officers and volunteers, also provided counseling regarding labor updates and answered questions on work related problems, and conducted a signature campaign and outdoor games. As part of the Labor Day Celebration, a mass was held at the St. Benedict Church, Hyehwa-dong. The opening of the Bas-ketball League participated by different Filipino communities was sponsored by HFCC..

liwasan ng Yeouido dito sa Seoul Korea. Ang nasabing pagtitipon ay dinaluhan ng ibat-ibang samahan at organisasyon ng mga migranteng Pilipino, na mula sa ibat-ibang bahagi ng Korea. Nagsimula ang programa sa isang misang pasasalamat na ipinagdiwang ni Fr. Alvin Parantar (Archdiocesan Pastoral Center for Filipino Migrants). Sumunod na dito ang mensahe mula sa mga opisyal ng Emba-hada ng Pilipinas. Nagkaron din ng maikling parada bilang pagkilala sa mga organisas-yon na lumahok sa pagdiriwang.

Nagpakita rin ng galing ang ating mga kababayan sa pagsayaw ng mga katu-tubong sayaw (folk dance) mula sa mga rehiyon sa Pilipinas. May mga palaro, awitan at sayawan upang makapagbigay saya sa okasyon. Salu-salo sa pagkain ng tanghalian at pagbibigayan ng mga dalang pagkain ang bawat organisasyon na siyang nag-pasaya at bumuhay sa kaugaliang Pilipino. Isang pagpapatunay na kahit saan man tayo mapunta ay di nawawala ang mga mabubuting gawi.

Tunay ngang masarap lasapin ang kalayaan na ipinaglaban ng ating mga bayani. Kalayaan na habang panahon nating dapat alalahanin at ingatan.

SULYAPINOY is accepting cash donations for its monthly printing expenses. You may deposit them @ Account # : 1002 640 334730 / Acnt Name: Marcelino M. / Bank: Woori Bank - Hyehwa-dong Branch

MAY 2011 2

For Comments, Suggestions, Contributions

& Advertisements,

e-mail: sulyap.editorialstaff@gmail.com SULYAPINOY observes the Philippine Press Code of Ethics . We reserve the right to refuse any submission we deem does not meet our policies and guidelines.

D I S C L A I M E R

Different opinions are encourage to stimulate member input and involvement. SULYAPI-NOY’s role is to provide information that per-mits FEWA members to develop informed opin-ions on subjects that will affect their status as migrant workers and, in some instances, their personal lives. FEWA does not hold itself responsible for statements made by any con-tributor. Statements or opinions expressed in SULYAPINOY reflect the views of the author(s) and not the official policy of FEWA unless so stated.

May Day: Mayday, mayday, mayday! Whether you call it May Day or Mayday,

the word signifies similar importance for many Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs).

May Day, commonly known as Mayo Uno (May 1) is a Labor Day celebration

and a holiday for most workers. Mean-

while, mayday comes from the French word venez m'aider, meaning " come

help me" , a distress call asking for help and rescue. On May Day, do

OFWs shout mayday, mayday, mayday?

The month of May signals the start of

spring, a season for leaves and grass to grow and flowers to bloom. In many

cultures it is a time for festivals or fies-tas like in the Philippines. It is also a

time for reunions and gatherings, so

many OFWs choose May to come home and celebrate with families and friends

and share their blessings with endless food and overflowing drinks.

For Filipinos living abroad, May Day is a time to hold cultural programs and

events that showcase the rich diversity of Philippine culture. Filipinos’ diverse

skills and talents in

www.sulyapinoy.org

Contributors :Gennie Kim, jackRusl, Ehd Villarta,

Benjue del mundo and Marzy Serdena

singing, dancing and other creative

expressions are highlighted. It is not unusual to see Filipinos in the streets

or parks in major cities around the world parading in their colorful native

costumes with traditional instruments

and waving the Philippine flag. On the other hand, May Day is also Labor

Day and globally celebrated as Inter-national Workers Day. It is not cele-

bration, but demonstrations that are staged in the streets calling for gov-

ernments to respect labor and work-

ers’ rights, asserting their right to form unions and have wage increases.

For most OFWs, it is a sad reminder how some of their basic rights as mi-

grant workers are neglected.

So May Day is an appropriate time for

OFWs to call out “mayday, mayday, mayday.” They need to be rescued

from a “workers unfriendly” govern-

ment labor policy that prevents work-ers to freely move and find a better

employer; companies’ malpractices such as not giving workers their right-

ful overtime pay, breach

of contracts by not providing workers

their proper benefits and encouraging workers to become undocumented so it

would be easier for them to control and make workers as their slaves.

For workers, their only consolation are those times when they would say or

whisper “payday, payday.” Their hard earned income would pass their hands

to the bank’s counter or a broker to send as remittances to their families

back home.

Be it a call for celebration or a distress

call, May Day and mayday become syn-onymous for OFWs. It is a tough bal-

ancing act to find time to celebrate

amidst their hectic and busy jobs. But such occasions serves to heighten their

call for “mayday, mayday, mayday”. After all, life is not just a struggle for

decent job and a fair wage. Particularly

on a May Day, OFWs deserve to enjoy by creatively expressing themselves and

promoting the rich Philippine culture, as well as their admirable work ethics.

EDITOR’ S NOTE

MAY 2011 www.sulyapinoy.org

May Day: Mayday, mayday, mayday! H yewa-dong, Seoul. The Festival of the Holy Cross known as

Santacruzan held last May 22, 2011, in Hyewa-dong, Seoul.

The event was sponsored by the Hyewadong Filipino Catholic

Community (HFCC) with the theme “Parangal kay Mama Mary”

and participated in by various Filipino community from Bucheon ,

Incheon, Ansan, HFCC Committees, Filipino EPS Workers

Association (FEWA), Pinoy Iskolars KOrea (PIKO), Ginoo and

Binibini Kalinangan 2010. After the procession it was followed by

a holy mass.

After the communion rites, offering of flowers were presented by

sagalas (muses) as well as their escorts, the AVE MARIA’s – Rylyn

David, Jenny Pulivo, Chelo Bechayda, Marina Pena, Erlinda

Gutierrez, Carmelita Cajumocan, Connie Fabular, Elsie De

Guzman, ANGELS – Park Lee Yao, Kallile Venice Iruguin,

Benedict David, Su Jin, Lyn Aurora Legarteza, DIVINE SHEP-

HERDESS – Conrada Costoria and Bong Perocho, QUEEN OF

BANDERADA – Andrea Montero and Eric Christian Robles,

QUEEN OF MORA – Jocelyn Orpilla and Aris Pineda,

QUEEN OF JUSTICE – Evviet Garcia and Ronnie Silva,

QUEEN OF SHEEBA – Marife Basas and Joel Pettallana,

SAMARITANA – Russel Lor and Eric Odivina, ROSA MYS-

TICA – Maria Geila Torress and orly Tungla, VERONICA –

Grace Asis and Jeff Escoto, MARY MAGDALENE – Nenita

Vergara and Glen Vergara, MARY MOTHER OF

CHRIST – Beselle Alba and Ramil Alba, MARY

MOTHER OF JAMES – Emelyn Lapitan and

3

Santacruzan 2011 at Hyewhadong

Jaymon Mallari, QUEEN OF CHARITY

– Zyryne Genebert and Rolly Ponce,

QUEEN ESTHER – Amihan Malinao and

Guilberto Huelar, QUEEN OF STARS - Alea

Alviar and john Rivera, QUEEN OF FAITH –

Kyla Gomez and Jonas Sison, QUEEN OF

PROPHETS – Luiza Anna Legarteza and Tuan

Tiwih, QUEEN OF HEAVENS – Aileen

Powao and Han Pil Kim, QUEEN OF FLOW-

ERS – Jinelyn Betacura and Benjie Del Mundo,

QUEEN OF HOPE – Liezel Ramos and Alvin

Reyes, QUEEN OF PEACE – Maricar Bondoy

and Jueffrey Ymasa, QUEEN OF VIRGINS –

Rachelle Montalbo and Alvin Bernal, QUEEN

EMPERATRIZ – Maria Angeline Lopez and

Noel Joseph Alvarez, CONSTANTINE – Park

Hye Yok and QUEEN HELENA – Lorna

Rosales and Jonathan Eli Libut.

It was also attended by different Filipino Commu-nities and Ambassador Luis T. Cruz of the Philip-pine Embassy. Santacruzan is a religious-historical beauty pageant held in many cities, towns and even small villages throughout the Philippines during the month of May. )

It is one of the most colorful May-time festivals in the Philippines which depicts the search and finding of the Holy Cross by Queen Helena, mother of Constantine the Great. The highlight of the procession is the majestic Reina Elena (Queen Helena) who walks with her consort, Prince Constantine, under a huge canopy of May flowers. Immediately behind her is a float carrying the image of the Blessed Virgin Mary, followed by a brass band that lends the festive sounds to the procession. A nine days of prayer (a novena) in honor of the Holy Cross precedes the Flores de Mayo or Santacruzan. This festival was introduced by the Spaniards in the Philippines and has since become part of Filipino traditions identified with youth, love and romance. This Filipino tradition (The Queen of May Festivities), introduced by Spanish conquerors, is more than 100 years old and lives on even in Europe, America and Asia. Filipino Communities and Associations all over the world celebrate the Santacruzan with the same pageantry and glamour as the townsfolk in their homeland like the celebration here in Korea.

(Reference about Santacruzan - http://www.seasite.niu.edu/Tagalog/Cynthia/festivals/flores_de_mayo_at_santacruzan.htm

by Airlinehunk24

Seodaemun, Seoul,Korea. A Solidarity Night with Mi-grant Trade Union (MTU) was held last May 14th 2011, at the KCTU (Korea Confederation of Trade Unions) Cafeteria in Seodaemungu. The theme was A Year of Solidarity for Empowering Migrant Women ”Dignity and Equality for all Workers”. The Seoul-Gyeonggi-Incheon Migrants Trade Union (MTU) is a labor union established in 2005 for and by migrants workers themselves. MTU is affiliated with the Korean Confederation of Trade Unions (KCTU). The officers of MTU is composed of different nationalities like Indonesia, Nepal, Sri Lanka, the Philippines, Bangla-desh, Thailand, among others. The organization’s main goals are; 1) stop the crackdown and deportation of undocumented migrants workers; 2) legalization of all undocumented migrant workers; 3) campaign in abol-ishing the Employment Permit System (EPS)

to Work Permit System (right to change em-ployers, ten years residency period, right to invite family, etc); and 4) campaign for the three basic labor rights of migrant workers (the right to unionize, the right to collective bargain-ing, the right to strike). MTU activities and services includes counseling in workplace problems, educational programs, campaigns, Korean language class and the UMBRELLA (United Migrants Bringing Rights and Labor Actions). Through Umbrella women mi-grant workers are provided opportunity to meet and address their issues. The Solidarity Night aims to; 1) Strengthen solidarity with Korean civil society movements; 2) promote and help legalize and recognize MTU as a migrant workers organization; and 3) help empower women migrant workers. The program was opened by a film presentation about the situation of migrant workers. Among the speakers includes MTU President Michel Catuira, KVTU, NCC President David Rai, WFW (Women for Women) Juno Gurong; Sulyapi-noy Chairman Noel Joseph Alvarez and other guests. After the speeches short documentary films were shown about the problems of migrant women in Korea the films were made by Gandiv Subedi (Young artist from Nepal), Women for Women by Shanti Adhikari, Sajangnim by

Seo Moe Thu, and films from the Women Migrants Human Rights Center of Korea. At the event different Asian dishes were served like Beef Rendang of Indonesia, Chicken Chili and Chatpatee of Nepal, Chicken Pork Adobo of the Philippines, Fusion dish from Filipino-Thai-Korean cuisine (Beef special), Korean Tteokbokki and Pajeon. The event was capped by awarding of prizes to participants who wrote their well-wishes and solidarity mes-sages for MTU. Contact details: Seoul-Gyeonggi-Incheon Migrants Trade Union-MTU is open for counseling and its programs, located at Sangsaeng Hakwon Building, 2nd floor, 202, Chungjeongno 2-ga, 78 , Saedaemun-gu, eoul (by subway line 5 to Saedaemun Station exit # 1). Telephone# 02-228 5-6068 . Homepage – http://mtu.or.kr. Korean Confederation of Trade Unions (KCTU) located at Kyunghang Newspaper Building 14th floor, Jeongdong 22 beonji, Junggu, Seoul. Tel # 02-2670-9150-4. Homepage –http://kctu.org. Women Migrants Human Rights Center of Korea located at Women Migrants Human Rights Center of Korea Building 4th floor, 178 -68 , Songin dong, Chongrugo, Seoul 110-550. Tel #02-3672-8 98 8 . Home-page www.wmigrant.org.

Solidarity Night with MTU

By Airlinehunk24

4 www.sulyapinoy.org MAY 2011

Photos by Samuel Grado and Kuya Nhads

Isang Dipang Langi t By Amado V. Hernandez Ako'y ipiniit ng linsil na puno hangad palibhasang diwa ko'y piitin, katawang marupok, aniya'y pagsuko, damdami'y supil na't mithiin ay supil. Ikinulong ako sa kutang malupit: bato, bakal, punlo, balasik ng bantay; lubos na tiwalag sa buong daigdig at inaring kahit buhay man ay patay. Sa munting dungawan, tanging abot-malas ay sandipang langit na puno ng luha, maramot na birang ng pusong may sugat, watawat ng aking pagkapariwara. Sintalim ng kidlat ang mata ng tanod, sa pintong may susi't walang makalapit; sigaw ng bilanggo sa katabing moog, anaki'y atungal ng hayop sa yungib. Ang maghapo'y tila isang tanikala na kala-kaladkad ng paang madugo ang buong magdamag ay kulambong luksa ng kabaong waring lungga ng bilanggo. Kung minsa'y magdaan ang payak na yabag, kawil ng kadena ang kumakalanding; sa maputlang araw saglit ibibilad, sanlibong aninong iniluwa ng dilim. Kung minsan, ang gabi'y biglang magulantang sa hudyat - may takas! - at asod ng punlo; kung minsa'y tumangis ang lumang batingaw, sa bitayang moog, may naghihingalo. At ito ang tanging daigdig ko ngayon - bilangguang mandi'y libingan ng buhay;

Photos by Mr. Marzy Serdena

5

Inay

by Ehd Villarta Jr. Taos pusong pagbati sa lahat ng mga nanay sa inyong kadakilaaan kami ay lubos na nagpupugay salamat sa inyong pagmamahal sa amin ay ibinigay sana pagpalain pa kayo ng ating Puong Maykapal Tunay nga kayong dakila,di matatawaran mga payo nyo sa amin ay di malilimutan nakatatak sa aming mga puso at aming isipan ito ay mananatili at di mawawala kailanman Disiplinang humubog ng kagandahang asal kapus man sa pera,sagana sa pagmamahal tanging pangarap,makapagtapos kami sa pag-aaral araw man at gabi, laman nang kanilang dasal Pawis at luha ay kanilang naging puhunan para maitaguyod,ating mga pangangailangan balang araw aking pangako,aking gagampanan mga sakripisyong ibinigay,aking susuklian Kamusta na po kayo aking mahal na inay matagal na panahon na rin sa inyo'y nawalay ako ay nasasabik na kayo ay makita at mayakap pagiging aking inay ginampanan nyo ng buong galak Pasensya na kung ako nuo'y masyadong pasaway kung ang mga utos mo ay palagi kong sinusuway pipilitin ko ngayon ayusin takbo ng aking buhay dahil balang araw nais ko rin maging isang mabuting itay.

MAY 2011

Isang Dipang Langi t By Amado V. Hernandez Ako'y ipiniit ng linsil na puno hangad palibhasang diwa ko'y piitin, katawang marupok, aniya'y pagsuko, damdami'y supil na't mithiin ay supil. Ikinulong ako sa kutang malupit: bato, bakal, punlo, balasik ng bantay; lubos na tiwalag sa buong daigdig at inaring kahit buhay man ay patay. Sa munting dungawan, tanging abot-malas ay sandipang langit na puno ng luha, maramot na birang ng pusong may sugat, watawat ng aking pagkapariwara. Sintalim ng kidlat ang mata ng tanod, sa pintong may susi't walang makalapit; sigaw ng bilanggo sa katabing moog, anaki'y atungal ng hayop sa yungib. Ang maghapo'y tila isang tanikala na kala-kaladkad ng paang madugo ang buong magdamag ay kulambong luksa ng kabaong waring lungga ng bilanggo. Kung minsa'y magdaan ang payak na yabag, kawil ng kadena ang kumakalanding; sa maputlang araw saglit ibibilad, sanlibong aninong iniluwa ng dilim. Kung minsan, ang gabi'y biglang magulantang sa hudyat - may takas! - at asod ng punlo; kung minsa'y tumangis ang lumang batingaw, sa bitayang moog, may naghihingalo. At ito ang tanging daigdig ko ngayon - bilangguang mandi'y libingan ng buhay;

It is already quite common for us that

many fiestas are held in barangays or barrios in our country. But the essence of our culture is being conveyed in South Korea through the fiesta in Incheon.

The Incheon Fiesta brought together all the

different Filipino communities in Korea.

Sagalas (muses) of the Flores de Mayo

roamed around city amid the high-rise

buildings, while traditional dances and

musical performances were staged. A

singing contest was the main event of the

night, along with live music from bands

and a screening of Manny Pacquiao’s fight.

Plus the delicious Filipino food and bever-

ages served all day.

The fiesta was injected with a modern spirit,

thanks to the Filipino Photographers in South

Korea (FILIPOS). Last April, organizers of the

Incheon Fiesta asked the FILIPOS to be the official

photographer of the event. FILIPOS did not have

any second thoughts, although honestly we were

not confident enough to take on this duty. Sure,

we have covered events in the past but this one is

completely different. Expectations were high and

the group’s reputation is on the line.

sampu, dalawampu, at lahat ng taon ng buong buhay ko'y dito mapipigtal. Nguni't yaring diwa'y walang takot-hirap at batis pa rin itong aking puso: piita'y bahagi ng pakikilamas, mapiit ay tanda ng di pagsuko.

Ang tao't Bathala ay di natutulog at di habang araw ang api ay api, tanang paniniil ay may pagtutuos, habang may Bastilya'y may bayang ga-ganti. At bukas, diyan din, aking matatanaw sa sandipang langit na wala nang luha, sisikat ang gintong araw ng tagumpay... layang sasalubong ako sa paglaya! Bartolina ng Muntinlupa

Abril 22, 1952

Si Gat Amado Hernandez ay isang peryodista at labor organizer na nanguna sa mga malakihang strike sa Manila noong 1947 at 1948 . Nagkaroon ng military crackdown laban sa mga kilusang komuni-sta noong 1950. Si Gat Amado Hernandez ay inaresto at pinagbintangang lider ng kilusan kung saan siya ay kinulong ng 5 taon.

by JackRusl

The event drew 24 FILIPOS photographers from different parts of South Korea, even as far as Suwon and Paju.

It was quite a busy day for FILIPOS, with 24 mem-

bers spread all over the place. FILIPOS members

were easily identified by their shirt and badge.

Some may say “bayanihan” (cooperation) is dead

but the spirit was high among the members. Un-

der the hot sun, the members did not waste time

taking photos inside tents, on top of roofs and

under trees. We were like snipers shooting at every angle: some ran to capture fleeting moments while others stalked beautiful personalities, and some even lay on the ground just to snap an artistic shot. The first ever FILIPOS Photo Exhibit was simultaneously held at Hyehwa-dong, Seoul. An exhibit showed the fruits of the FILIPOS’ hard work in workshops, photowalks, meetings, contests and debates. FILIPOS members exhib-

ited their best photographs of friends and loved ones, extraordinary places they’ve been, scary pets under their bed, colorful flowers in yard, their own portraits – all these captured in their exceptionally creative ways.

www.sulyapinoy.org

6 MAY 2011 www.sulyapinoy.org

MENSAHE NI SECRETARY ROSALINDA DIMAPILIS BALDOZ , DEPARTMENT OF LABOR AND EMPLOYMENT By: DOLE-Philippines (http://www.philembassy-seoul.com/ann_details.asp?id=448 )

By: KAGAWARAN NG KATARUNGAN, Department of Justice, Manila

The Department of Justice (“DOJ”) issued an Advisory Opinion explaining to the public the issues surrounding the recruitment, arrest, detention and conviction of Filipinos caught transporting illegal drugs abroad. As with its previous Advisory Opinion regarding the basic rights of citizens in military/police checkpoints, Advisory Opinion No. 2 is in line with the thrust of the DOJ to take a pro-active stance in criminal justice concerns, including the issue on Filipino illegal drug couriers or “drug mules”. The DOJ’s Advisory is addressed both to Filipinos who willingly accept offers to become illegal drug couriers and to those who were involuntarily caught in the criminal activities of syndicates through various modus operandi. In either case, the Advisory lays down basic rules that all Filipinos should bear in mind once they are apprehended abroad on suspicion of transporting illegal drugs. Below are the ten (10) advisory points issued by the DOJ, couched in simple and straightforward language for easy comprehension by the general public: 1. ”Carry at your own risk” 2. Knowledge is immaterial and intent is not a requirement in drug trafficking. 3. Be vigilant of the modus operandi of drug courier syndicates.

4. In the unfortunate event of arrest or detention for drug trafficking, have pres-ence of mind and do not resist arrest. 5. Assert your legal rights, inquire on the legal remedies and request for consular assistance. 6. Presumption of innocence will always apply. 7. The laws of the country of arrest apply. 8 . If sentenced, the government can only be of limited assistance. 9. ”Blood money” cannot be paid to erase the liability of a person convicted of a crime involving illegal drugs. 10. Take full responsibility of your actions. The DOJ’s Advisory Opinion No. 2 was issued at a time when more and more Filipinos are being arrested and convicted in various countries allegedly for being

drug couriers. It seeks to warn Filipinos of the legal consequences of being in-volved, voluntarily or involuntarily, in the criminal activities of illegal drug syndi-cates. (Source - http://www.philembassy-seoul.com/news_details.asp?id=453)

Isang mainit at masayang pagbati sa mga mahu-husay at masisipag na manggagawang Pilipino sa ating sama-samang pagdiriwang ng Araw ng Pag-gawa. Sa tagal ng aking paninilbihan sa Kagawaran ng Paggawa at Paghahanapbuhay at sa aking pakikis-alamuha sa lahat ng uri ng mga manggagawa, ako ay lubos na humahanga sa kanilang husay at kakayahan. Ang kamulatan at kaalaman ng mangga-gawang Pilipino sa kaniyang mga karapatan at sa mga usaping may kinalaman sa kaniyang pamumu-hay ay bukod-tangi. Kapuri-puri rin ang kanyang paghahangad na matuto ng mga bagong kaalaman at magtagumpay sa anumang larangan. Ang mga katangiang ito ay lalo pa nating iaangat sa pamumuno ni Pangulong Benigno S. Aquino III na nag-atas sa Kagawaran na pag-ibayuhin ang pag-kalinga sa ating mga manggagawa, kabilang na ang ating mga OFW’s. Isa sa mga repormang ating sini-mulan ay ang Labor Enforcement Action Program o

LEAP na naglalayong itaas ang antas ng pagtupad ng mga kompanya sa mga pangunahing batas sa pag-gawa. Kaugnay nito ay sinimulan rin nating ipatupad ang Single Entry Approach o SENA na naglalayong resolbahin ang mga hindi pagkakasundo sa pagitan ng manggagawa at kompanya sa paraang mabilis, patas, at hindi magastos. Maigting na rin ang ating pagpapatupad ng Republic Act 10022 na nagbibigay ng karagdagang proteksyon sa ating mga bayaning OFWs na patuloy na nagpa-patatag sa ating ekonomiya. Patuloy na nakikipag-ugnayan ang ating pamahalaan sa mga katuwang nito sa pribadong sector upang higit na palakasin ang pamumuhunan at mga industriya sa bansa nang sa gayon ay marami pa ang magkaroon ng trabaho. Marami pang reporma na nagbibigay kapangyarihan sa mga manggagawa upang maging produktibo ang ating isinasagawa sa lipunan. Sa napakahalagang araw na ito, lubos ang aking pasasalamat sa mga union, kalipunan, at

organisasyon ng mga manggagawa sa kanilang patu-loy na pagpapalawak ng unyonismo at pagkilos para sa kapakanan ng mga mangagawa, katulad ng pagbibi-gay nila ng mga tulong pangkabuhayan sa kanilang mga kasapi. Ang tema ng pagdiriwang ngayong taon, “Tuwid na Daan Tungo sa Kaunlaran Para sa Lahat”, ay nananawagan sa sama-sama nating pagtahak sa tuwid na landas tungo sa kaunlaran para sa lahat. Sa katuparan ng mithiing ito, paiigtingin pa ng ating Kagawaran ang mga programa, polisiya, proyekto, at serbisyo na makakatulong sa ikagaganda ng kinabuka-san ng ating mga manggagawa. Patuloy akong nananalig sa inyong angking galing at husay sa loob at labas ng bansang Pilipinas. Muli, isang maligayang pagdirirwang ng Araw ng Pag-gawa sa ating lahat. Mabuhay ang Manggagawang Pilipino!

DOJ ISSUES ADVISORY ON ILLEGAL DRUG COURIERS

Pumunta sa Fund Transfer

Section ng Korea Post branch na

pinakamalapit sa inyo. KRW 8,000 lang ang

Remittance fee para sa perang padalang aabot

sa halagang USD 1,000 o KRW 1 M!

7 MAY 2011 www.sulyapinoy.org

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For inquiries, call 010 4797 1261 or 010 3433 0517