GENERAL SANTOS CITY (MindaNews/30 April) — In a bid to promote better awareness among students regarding its programs, the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) in Region 12 is set to establish advocacy corners in various schools in the region.
Ofelia Domingo, DOLE-12 regional director, said Tuesday they are set to sign an agreement on Wednesday with the Department of Education (DepEd) and the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) in Region 12 to facilitate the opening of the advocacy corners.
She said the advocacy corners will mainly feature essential information, highlights and updates on major programs, services and advocacies of DOLE and its attached agencies.
“We’re looking at building awareness this early among students regarding our initiatives and guide them when they need our services later on,” Domingo said.
The official said the advocacy corners will be established initially in selected secondary schools, technical-vocational institutions, colleges and universities in parts of the region.
Region 12 comprises the provinces of South Cotabato, Sultan Kudarat, Sarangani and North Cotabato as well as the cities of General Santos, Koronadal, Tacurong, Kidapawan and Cotabato.
She said they will be maintained by DOLE’s attached agencies that comprise its regional coordinating council (RCC).
The RCC is a cluster of DOLE’s attached agencies composed of the National Conciliation and Mediation Board, Overseas Workers’ Welfare Agency, Philippine Overseas Employment Administration, National Labor Relations Commission, Professional Regulatory Commission, Regional Tripartite Wages and Productivity Board and the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority.
DOLE serves as lead agency of the RCC, which was created to ensure the proper implementation of labor-related initiatives and help member-agencies become more “responsive to the fast changing work environment and the development needs of workers, managers, employers and would-be members of the labor force.”
Domingo said they will sign the memorandum of agreement with DepEd and CHED and launch the advocacy corners following the formal opening of the Labor Day activities in the region on Wednesday morning in nearby Koronadal City.
The Labor Day activities include a gathering of employee groups and labor unions at the South Cotabato Gymnasium and Cultural Center in Koronadal City as well as job fairs in five venues in the region.
The scheduled job fairs will be held at the South Seas Mall in Cotabato City, Kidapawan City Gymnasium, Tacurong City Gymnasium, KCC Mall of GenSan’s Events and Convention Center and at the SM City General Santos.
Domingo said a total of 10,596 local and overseas job opportunities will be opened to local job seekers by around 200 companies and job placement that signified to join the job fairs.
During the job fairs, DOLE-12 will open registration desks for house helpers or “kasambahays” and orient them regarding the provisions of Republic Act 10361 or the “Kasambahay” Law.
DOLE-12 will release some livelihood packages while TESDA will hold skills demonstration and free certification assessment for residents who have completed National Certification (NC) 2 trainings.
(Allen V. Estabillo/MindaNews)