BRINGING JOBS CLOSER TO JOBSEEKERS.

The 73 job fair venues across the 16 regions on Labor Day (May 1) provided equal opportunities for both employers and job applicants at local levels.

ust like many job seekers, tough luck welcomed 20-year old Gian Carlo Lassalya. He found himself in the company of fresh and inexperienced applicants lining up in various job fairs in the hope of landing their dream job. As a technical-vocational (tech-voc) graduate, his lack of educational degree was the most difficult hurdle that always landed his resume at the bottom of the list in every application. Good fortune smiled at Gian when he took advantage of the Department of Labor and Employments Job Fair at Camp Servillano Aquino in Tarlac, City. There, he endured the blazing heat of the sun and joined the thousands of job seekers hopping from one employers booth to another. Tiyagaan lang talaga sa paghahanap ng trabaho, wag mawawalan ng pag-asa dahil alam ko nandito lahat ang kailangang trabaho sa job fair, Gian said. By a stroke of fate, Gian was one of the 20,934 successful jobseekers who were hired-on-the-spot (HOTS) during the simultaneous mega job fairs of the DOLE held in 73 venues across the countrys 16 regions in celebration of the nations 111th Labor Day. He was hired by Nanox Philippines, Inc., as an LCD operator and production trainee. Vocational course lang ang natapos ko, pero dahil nagkaroon po ako ng oportunidad na makilahok sa job fair ng DOLE, nagkaroon po agad ako ng trabaho. Sana ituloy lang ng DOLE ang job fairs nila dahil maraming taoang gustong makapagtrabaho, Gian shared. This years nationwide Jobs Fairs reaped a total of 20,934 Hired-On-The-Spot (HOTS) out of the 101,250 qualified job applicants. This years Labor Day celebration closes with a triumphant note. The percentage of HOTS which is 20.7 percent, is quite impressive compared to the 18.9 percent in 2012 and the 17.5

2013 Labor Day Scorecard: 20,999 hired-on-the-spot; 85,848 near-hires

percent in 2011, Baldoz said, even as she noted that the 2013 record even exceeded the targeted 15 percent HOTS. The National Capital Region topped the list of regions with the highest number of HOTS with 4,282, followed by Region 3 with 3,356 HOTS; Region 4-A with 2,806 HOTS; Region 10 with 2,436 HOTS; Region 12 with 2,091 HOTS; CAR with1,932 HOTS; and Region 11 with1,274 HOTS. Of the total number of HOTS, 87 percent were placed for local employment; while the remaining 13 percent were for overseas employment. According to the Bureau of Local Employment, there are a total of 2,933 employers2,777 local and 656 overseas who participated in 73 job fair venues nationwide. The participation of employers was relatively high in the National Capital Region with 23.6 percent, followed by Region 4-A with 14.5 percent, and Region 3 with 11.9 percent. Accordingly, Baldoz encouraged jobseekers, especially those who attended any of the job fairs during the 2013 Labor Day, to keep their hopes high as employers have pledged to continue the processing of applications even after the Labor Day. Jobseekers must not easily get discouraged shall they not be hired-on-the-spot. Selecting job applicants can be a tough challenge for employers. They may need more time to review
Turn to page 3

DOLE Good News

Our SEnA Story

Unpaid for almost 3 years, 13th month pay released in just 2 weeks thru SEnA
Malaki talaga ang naitulong ng SEnA sa akin. Dahil sa NCMB, dalawang linggo lang akong naghintay para mabigay ang benepisyo na hinintay ko ng halos tatlong taon, Janice Tesoro

On April 12, 2013, Ms. Putong called up Ms. Lee to inform that the check was ready to be released on April

medical representative from Bacolod City recently received her 13th month pay after just two weeks from filing her complaint with the Bacolod office of the National Conciliation and Mediation Board. Ms. Janice A. Tesoro, who served as medical representative of the Saviour MeDevices from 2007 to 2010, had been vainly waiting for more than two years for such benefit when she decided to go to the Bacolod office of the NCMB to file her complaint. Maganda naman ang relasyon namin sa kompanya. Pinayagan nila akong umalis na maluwag sa kanilang kalooban, kaya hindi ko inakala na maghihintay ako ng ilang taon para mabayaran ako, Ms. Tesoro said. Panay ang follow-up ko pero hindi pa rin napa-prases hanggang ngayon. Malaki na ang sakripisyo ko. Pinagpaguran ko naman yun kaya nagpupursigi talaga ako para makuha ko, she added. One of her former officemates advised her to seek assistance from NCMB.

And so, on April 02, 2013, she went to NCMB-Bacolod to file a request for assistance. She was attended to by Ms. Melinda M. Lee, Senior Labor and Employment Officer and SEnA Desk Officer. On that day, Ms. Lee called Ms. Sweet Dionne G. Putong, HR manager of the Makati office of Saviour Me Devices to inform her about the request of their former employee. Ms. Putong and Ms. Tesoro talked over the phone, and the former assured the latter that they would soon process the check as soon as Ms. Tesoro agreed on the computation of the benefits.
Editor NICON F. FAMERONAG Director, LCO Associate Editor KAREN R. SERRANO

15, 2013. Ms. Lee immediately informed Ms. Tesoro about the good news. On April 15, 2013, Ms. Tesoro came to NCMB Bacolod to receive the check amounting to Php 11,718.52 and to sign her quitclaim. Nagpapasalamat ako sa NCMB, lalo na kay Ms. Lee. Malaki talaga ang naitulong ng SEnA sa akin. Dahil sa NCMB, dalawang linggo lang akong naghintay para mabigay ang benepisyo na hinintay ko ng halos tatlong taon, Ms. Tesoro said before leaving the premises of NCMB Bacolod. Sana tuloy-tuloy ang programang ito para lalo pang dumami ang inyong mga matutulungan, she added. SEnA is a reform measure in the labor dispute settlement system introduced by Labor Secretary Rosalinda Baldoz when she assumed office in 2010. The program seeks to simplify the filing and processing of labor cases in the Department, with conciliationmediation as the initial step. If the case is not settled within thirty days, it is referred to the appropriate office of the Department. NCMB is one of the agencies of the DOLE that implements the program. Its conciliator-mediators and Single Entry Assistance Desk Officers (SEADOs) in the regional branches attend to complaints and requests for assistance filed by workers.
Contributing Regional Writers DIANA JOYZ ESGUERRA - NCR PATRICK T. RILLORTA - CAR ARLY S. VALDEZ - Region 1 REGINALD B. ESTIOCO - Region 2 JEREMIAH M. BORJA - Region 3 FRANZ RAYMOND AQUINO - Region 4A ANDREA JOY AGUTAYA - Region 4B RAYMOND P. ESCALANTE - Region 5 AMALIA N. JUDICPA - Region 6 EMMANUEL Y. FERRER - Region 7 FLORENCE D. PANAO - Region 8 GAY IRIS TANGCALAGAN - Region 9 MILDRED E. DABLIO - Region 10 JOCELYN C. FLORDELIS - Region 11 CHARMAINE DAWN L. SONSONA - Region 12 IRIS C. ASIS - Caraga

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 DOLEs or the Philippine Governments. Readers queries, comments, and suggestions are welcome. Mail or fax them in, or call us at telephone numbers 5273000 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.

Staff Writers MARK JAIME L. CERDENIA MA. VERONICA R. ALMAZORA CELESTE T. MARING HAZEL JOY T. GALAMAY REVELITA F. LAXINA Editorial Assistants GIRLIE MARLYN E. ARCE MADELYN D. DOMETITA Graphic Artist GREGORIO I. GALMAN Photographer JOMAR S. LAGMAY Circulation Manager GIRLIE MARLYN E. ARCE

May 2013

DOLE Good News

Part of P-Noys 372 new labor law compliance officers

Baldoz appoints 103 LLCOs as DOLE shifts gear from pure regulation to voluntary labor law compliance

abor and Employment Secretary Rosalinda Dimapilis-Baldoz announced the appointment of 103 labor law compliance officers (LLCOs) who will form the core of the implementers of the DOLEs new labor law compliance program. The 103 are part of the 372 new LLCOs whose positions were given by President Benigno S. Aquino to the DOLE to enable it to strongly and efficiently push the new labor law compliance program. This program signals our shift from pure regulation to voluntary compliance with labor laws and regulations to protect and safeguard our workers and promote their welfare, said Baldoz. President Benigno S. Aquino III has added the 372 new LLCO positions to the DOLEs current roster of 228 labor inspectors to enable the Department to effectively implement and monitor compliance with labor laws. The DOLEs Human Resource and Development Service (HRDS) has reported that the 103 new LLCOs are young professionals who have expressed desire to join the wave of change in government. The 103 new LLCOs are composed of 37 engineers, 24 of whom are currently attending post-graduate studies (Bachelor of Laws and masters degrees), and graduates of social sciences. Their age ranges from 28 to 40 years old. Some of the appointees have worked in the private sector before joining the DOLE, while others are former overseas Filipino workers (OFWs). Competitive salaries at par with the private sector, as well as continuous training for professional growth, await the new LLCOs. At the DOLE, they can expect exposure to a broad range of professional work and experiences, and local travel. They will be assigned in the DOLE regional offices, particularly in Regional Office Nos. 3, 4-A, 7, and the National Capital Region (NCR).

Baldoz said the hiring of additional LLCOs is consistent with the DOLE reform in the system of labor law compliance that veers away from a purely regulatory framework to a strong, pro-active, and development dimension. The new LLCOs are considered to be DOLEs new agents of change who possess a high degree of integrity and the values of honesty, transparency, and public accountability in the performance of their functions, said Baldoz. The DOLEs HRDS Director Katherine B. Brimon said her office is still accepting applications from professionals and aspirants to become LLCOs. Applicants should be a college graduate; preferably licensed mechanical, civil, or electrical engineers, registered nurses, graduates of medical and social science courses, and law. They should have at least one year to two years of relevant experience and four to eight hours of training on labor laws, safety and health, productivity, and other related training. Interested applicants who will meet the minimum requirements must submit an application letter addressed to Ms. Katherine B. Brimon, Director, Human Resource Development Service; a properly accomplished Personal Data Sheet (PDS) with the latest passport-size photo; and community tax certificate; copy of latest performance rating (for government employees); certified true-copy of Certificate of Eligibility (CSC or RA 1080); transcript of records and diploma; certificate of employment; and certificate of training/seminars attended. Applicants who may want more details may click on the Careers@DOLE page of the DOLE website (www.dole. gov.ph), or call the HRDS Recruitment, Selection, and Placement Unit at 527-3000 local 503. Anchored on the theme, Manggagawang Pilipino: Handa sa Hamon ng Makabagong Panahon, the DOLE celebrated the 2013 Labor Day as a tribute to the nations workers and to their significant contribution to the countrys development and to highlight their achievements as a major socioeconomic pillar of Philippine society. The DOLE has led the 2013 Labor Day celebration with outstanding support from its partners namely, SMART Communications Inc. SM Supermalls; Federation of FilipinoChinese Chambers of Commerce and Industry, Inc.; Philippine Association of Local Service Contractors; Philippine Daily Inquirer; and Philippine Star.
May 2013

2013 Labor Day Scorecard . . . (from page 1)

job applications, to go over details of their credentials, and to interview candidates, Baldoz said. The numbers are more likely to increase with the total of 85,811 job applicants who vied for further interview, she added. Applicants may be hired or placed depending on the outcome of their interview and pre-employment requirements of the hiring company. Among the regions that posted high percentage of FFI are NCR with 25,395; Region 4-A with 21,104; Region 3 with 9,562; and CAR with 6,758. The nationwide Job and Livelihood Fairs across the 16 regions has been the DOLEs yearly major activity on Labor Day in line with its vision of full, decent, and productive employment for every Filipino as we give the unemployed the opportunity to find a job, and those with entrepreneurial bent an opportunity to earn income. We made 1 May a special day for our nations workforce by bringing jobs closer to more graduates and jobseekers, especially in the regions, thus making their job search with less money spent and minimal effort exerted, Baldoz said.

DOLE Good News

BATAS KASAMBAHAY IMPLEMENTING RULES FINALLY INKED. Republic Act No. 10361, or the Act Instituting Policies for the Protection and Welfare of Domestic Workers, also called Batas Kasambahay, is now in full force and effect as the lead government agencies sign its implementing rules and regulations (IRR) at the Bulwagan ng Karunungan of the Department of Education in Pasig City. Signing the implementing rules are (from L-R) Social Security System Executive Vice President Edgardo B. Solilapsi; National Economic and Development Authority Director-General Arsenio Balisacan; Department of Labor and Employment Secretary Rosalinda Dimapilis-Baldoz; Department of Social Welfare and Development Secretary Corazon Juliana Soliman; PhilHealth President Enrique T. Ona; and Department of Interior and Local Government Undersecretary Austere A. Panadero.

Household workers may now enjoy their full rights as DOLE and partner agencies sign Batas Kasambahay implementing rules

epublic Act No. 1036, or the Act Instituting Policies for the Protection and Welfare of Domestic Workers, also called Batas Kasambahay, which is President Benigno S. Aquino IIIs gift to all Filipino household service workers-here and abroad--is now in full force and effect after the Department of Labor and Employment and its partner agencies, namely, the Department of Social Welfare and Development, Department of Interior and Local Government, Philippine National Police, Social Security System, Department of Health and PhilHealth, and Pag-IBIG, signed the implementing rules and regulations (IRR) of the Kasambahay Law in a simple ceremony held at the Bulwagan ng Karunungan of the Department of Education in Pasig City. After years of legislative struggle, we mark today a milestone in recognizing the special needs of our household service workers for safe and healthful working conditions and in strengthening social dialogue, decent employment, and enhanced social protection with our signing of the IRR of the Batas Kasambahay, a landmark piece of social legislation for the rights and welfare of Filipino household service workers, Labor and Employment Secretary Rosalinda-Dimapilis-Baldoz said after the she led the IRRs signing. Joining Baldoz in signing the Batas Kasambahay IRR were Department of Social Welfare and Development Secretary Corazon Soliman; Department of Interior and Local Government Secretary Mar Roxas; Philippine National Police Director General Allan Purisima; Social Security System President Emilio De Quiros, Jr.; Department of Helaht Secretary and PhilHealth President Enrique Ona; and Pag-IBIG President Darlene Berberabe.
Turn to page 5

May 2013

DOLE Good News

REGION NAME Carlito Asuncion Allen Anthony Fuentes Lydia Tupaz (Manila Field Office) Rolinda Sandoval (MUNTAPARLAS Field Office) Joy de Jesus (Quezon City Field Office) Medolyn Tariman (Makati-Pasay Field Office) Alicia del Mundo (PAPAMARISAN Field Office) Esther Tria Cordillera Administrative Region Region IV-A Emmanuel Barcellano Edwin Hernandez Ricky Martin Velasco Emelita Salamat Necorita Cruzado Lorena Gacosta Marivic Martinez Melissa Montalvo Rechelle Eve Peregrino Emelita Rasay Jennifer Taip Atty. Ma. Karina P. Trayvilla Imelda E. Romanillos Eduardo Pedro Cano Jane L. Rolda Ruben L. Romanillos Ricky A. Hernandez (Camarines Norte Field Office) Delia N. Calleja Ana Christine S. Soriano Ma. Cecilia T. Andalis (Camarines Sur Field Office) Alex C. Sanchez Ma. Ella E. Verano (Albay Field Office) Julie C. Manalang Rosemarie C. Cleofe Danilo Balilo (Catanduanes Field Office) Carlos P. Onding Anne Versario C. Nadal (Masbate Field Office) Francia B. Rodilla Marilyn M. Luzuriaga Noel L. Clerigo (Sorsogon Field Office) Virginia M. Angeles Francis A. Hatab Marcelina B. Arcaya Elamsalih E. Ungad Lindamor L. Agustin Fortunato A. Magsayo Roque B. Montano Miraflor J. Casanes Atty. Verna Kate B. Santos Evelyn Sularte Maricel Gravino (Davao City Field Office) Don James Villafuerte (Davao del Sur Field Office) Erlinda Apale (Davao del Norte Field Office) Joseph Vingno (Davao Oriental Field Office) Rodolfo Castro (Compostela Valley Field Office) CONTACT NOS. 310-4017 302-9269 302-9270 403-4615 800-1538 414-4471 376-5983 336-5062 310-8815 661-5042 477-3630 362-3187 367-3188 (074) 443-5338 (074) 442-2447 (049) 545-0294 (040) 545-7362

DOLE regional offices designates Kasambahay desk officers

ollowing Labor and Employment Secretary Rosalinda Dimapilis-Baldozs instructions to effect the smooth implementation of the rules and regulations of Republic Act No. 10361, otherwise known as An Act Instituting Policies for the Protection and Welfare of Domestic Workers, or more commonly known as Batas Kasambahay, the regional offices of the Department of Labor and Employment designated a Single-Entry Approach Desk Officer (SEADO) who shall act as the Kasambahay Desk Officer in their respective areas.

National Capital Region

Household workers . . .
(from page 4)

The IRR shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its complete publication in two (2) national newspapers of general circulation. We finally present to the public the IRR of the Batas Kasambahay which has been borne out of the DOLE and our partners nationwide town-hall-style public consultations with various stakeholders aimed at crafting an impartial and well-balanced set of rules that respect the rights of both the Kasambahay and the employer, Baldoz said. The IRR is the fruit of solid coordination and convergence of our partners towards a synergized effort to promote the rights and protection of household helpers. It also reflects the governments expressed commitment in ensuring social protection and decent jobs for our Kasambahay, she added. Last January 18, President Benigno S. Aquino III signed into law the Kasambahay Bill which has been described as the most fitting gift that the government has given to over 2.9 million Filipino domestic helpers. The Batas Kasambahay institutionalizes the provision of a comprehensive package of benefits to Filipino household service workers, including their entitlement to 13th month pay; service incentive leaves; and social welfare benefits, such as SSS, PAG-IBIG, and PhilHealth. The law fulfills the countrys obligation to enact a national legislation in compliance with the International Labor Organizations Convention 189 which sets new international standards for the protection of household helpers.

Region V

(052) 480-3058 (052) 481-0768 (054) 440-2157

(054) 473-5826

(052) 480-5987 (052) 811-2838

(056) 333-3822 (056) 421-5822

Region IX

(062) 955-0214 (062) 955-0151 (062) 991-2673

Region XI

(082) 302-6514 (082) 227-7165 (082) 227-8772 (082) 553-2597 (082) 400-5588 (087) 811-3424 (084) 376-0270

May 2013

DOLE Good News Convergence in action

Government launches national program on social protection to benefit 2.5 million marginal workers and families in the informal sector
Secretary Baldoz (3rd from left), leads the officials of government agencies, social security institutions, and trade unions in the signing the MOA on the National Convergence Program for Establishing a Social Protection Floor for Workers in the Informal Sector, during the Labor Day Celebration for Workers in the Informal Sector held at the Ochikawa Hall, Occupational Safety and Health Center, Quezon City.

ranslating into a focused and practical program its convergence effort for the uplift of the countrys workers in the informal economy and families in the periphery of socioeconomic development, the government on 30 May launched a social protection program with the signing by 27 national government agencies, social security institutions, and workers groups of a Joint Memorandum of Agreement for the establishment of a social protection floor for workers in the informal sector. The signing of the MOA is the centrepiece event of the Labor Day celebration for the informal sector workers held at the Ichikawa Hall of the Occupational Safety and Health Center in Quezon, City. Through this accord, the government demonstrates its commitment to a synergized and synchronized convergent plan to ensure the establishment of a social protection floor that addresses the welfare of the workers in the informal sector, Labor and Employment Secretary Rosalinda Dimapilis-Baldoz said. Baldoz, as DOLE Secretary, led the signing of the joint agreement. The convergence program is expected to cover the estimated 2.5 million home-based workers, non-corporate construction workers, vendors, small transport workers, agricultural sector workers, and other informal sector workers. Showing their expressed commitment, the heads and representatives of the following government agencies took part
6
May 2013

in the joint agreement: Departments of Agrarian Reform (DAR), Agriculture (DA), Education (DepEd), Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), Interior and Local Government (DILG), Health (DOH), Public Works and Highways (DPWH), Science and Technology (DOST), Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), and Trade and Industry (DTI). Also joining the roster of participating agencies and offices are the Presidential Commission for the Urban Poor; Housing and Urban Development Coordinating Council; National AntiPoverty Commission and NAPC Workers in the Informal Sector Council; Commission on Higher Education; National Housing Authority; Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office; PAGIBIG; MMDA; Phil-Health; and Social Security System. For issuance of statistical policies, strengthened data support and monitoring at the local and national levels, National Statistical Coordination Board and National Statistics Office also inked to the accord. Ensuring balanced representation and holistic social dialogue, representatives from the Trade Union Congress of the Philippines; Federation of Free Workers; and Union of Local Authorities of the Philippines also signed the MOA. The joint MOA aims to establish and implement a floor that provides a set of guarantees (either universal or targeted and contributory or non-contributory) as minimum protection for disadvantaged individuals and families.

The social protection floor constitutes access to 1) essential health services; 2) income support for children for education, health and nutrition; 3) income support for economically active groups who do not have sufficient income in case of contingencies; and 4) income support for the elderly population. One salient part of the agreement is the creation of a National Convergence Program for workers in the informal sector. This shall bring agencies to work together towards establishing a social protection floor to provide minimum protection for the identified selfemployed and unpaid family members, Baldoz said. The areas of partnership under the National Convergence Program which shall be translated into action by the agencies involved to increase the access of informal sector workers to government programs and services has also been identified in the accord. These areas focus on expanding social security coverages and promoting health care services; facilitating labor market interventions to enhance employment opportunities; profiling of program beneficiaries; establishing skills development fund for displaced workers; institutionalizing monitoring and evaluation mechanisms; facilitating access to housing programs; broadening partnerships; and ensuring genderbalanced participation of workers in national and local decision-making bodies. The last section of the agreement provides the specific commitments of each of the 27 participating agencies in the convergence program. The 2011 Labor Force Survey of the National Statistics Office accounted 15.3 million self-employed and unpaid family workers. Out of this number, 2.5 million are unemployed, thus unable to earn sufficient income. During the 101st Session of the International Labor Conference, the Philippines adopted the ILO Recommendation on National Floors of Social Protection that sets out nationally-defined sets of basic social security guarantees that aim to prevent or alleviate poverty, vulnerability and social exclusion.

DOLE Good News

abor and Employment Secretary Rosalinda Dimapilis-Baldoz and Kingdom of Saudi Arabia Labor Minister Engineer Adel Bin Mohammed Fakeih signed the Agreement on Domestic Worker Recruitment Between the Ministry of Labor of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the Department of Labor and Employment of the Republic of the Philippines in a simple ceremony at the Hilton Jeddah hotel in the seaside resort city in the Arabian peninsula. The event, described by Secretary Baldoz as historic, heralds an era of stronger bilateral labor cooperation between the Philippines and Saudi Arabia for the better protection and welfare of Filipino household service workers (HSWs) in the Kingdom. The signing comes right after last years agreement on a Standard Employment Contract which shall be followed by employers and Filipino HSWs in Saudi Arabia. We expect that this Agreement will increase the number of HSWs employed in Saudi Arabia, but we are very confident that cases of abuse will be less because the Agreement ensures fair and humane treatment of our HSWs and involves not only the government but also the private recruitment agencies and other stakeholders in its implementation, said Baldoz. According to Baldoz, there are an estimated 670,000 overseas Filipino workers in Saudi Arabia, but only around nine percent of them, or 60,000 are HSWs. This Agreement which we have just signed reinforces the Standard Employment Contract between employers and Filipino HSWs. It establishes the commitment of the two governments to implement the Contract and provide heightened protection for our domestic workers, Secretary Baldoz said in a press conference she and Minister Fakeih held jointly after the signing. The Agreement, the first of its kind to be signed by the Saudi government with a country of origin for migrant workers such as the Philippines, lays down areas of cooperation between the two countries, which shall include the following: (1) a mutually acceptable recruitment and deployment system; (2) recruitment of domestic workers through recruitment offices that practice

Baldoz, Saudi Labor Minister Fakeih sign historic agreement on HSWs

ethical recruitment and are licensed by their respective governments; (3) prohibition to charge or deduct from the salary of the domestic worker any cost attendant to recruitment and deployment nor impose any kind of unauthorized salary deductions; (4) right of recourse to competent authorities in case of contractual disputes, in accordance with applicable laws, rules, and regulations; (5) legal measures against recruitment offices, companies, or agencies for any violation of applicable laws, rules and regulations; and (6) resolution of any issue arising from the implementation and enforcement of the Agreement. The Agreement also establishes specific responsibilities of the Saudi Arabian government, which includes the authenticity of the employment contract; opening of a bank account in the name of the domestic worker; a 24hour mechanism for domestic workers assistance; expeditious settlement of labor contract violation cases; and facilitation of exit visas for repatriation upon contract completion or during emergency situations. Both sides reaffirmed their commitment to fully implement the Standard Employment Contract, which recognizes, among others, the SR1,500 minimum entry level salary, weekly rest days and daily rest periods, paid vacation leave, non-withholding of passports and work permits, free communication, and humane treatment. A Joint Committee with senior officials from both sides as members has been formed to conduct periodic review, assessment, and monitoring of the Agreement. We shall build on the importance placed by both governments upon cooperation, and the realization that full protection of our domestic workers cannot be done by one side alone. We acknowledge the firm resolve of both sides, particularly our Saudi counterparts, to usher this new era of enduring bilateral labor relations -- all for the sake of our domestic workers, Baldoz ended.

A HISTORIC VISIT. Before signing the historic agreement between the Philippines and Kingdom of Saudi Arabia for the protection and welfare of Filipino Household Service Workers, Labor and Employment Rosalinda Dimapilis-Baldoz (4th from right, seated) joins the Philippine Overseas Labor Office (POLO) Team in Dubai during the FilCom Leaders Forum. Consulate General of the Philippines in Dubai and the Northern Emirates Frank Cimafranca (3rd from right, seated) and wife Lucila Cimafranca (2nd from right, seated) joins Labor Attache Delmer Cruz (1st from right, seated) and the POLO Dubai Team in welcoming the Philippine Labor Secretary and the DOLE Officials. (Photo by POLO Dubai) May 2013

Sobrang saya ko po na meron na akong trabaho. Makakatulong narin ako sa aking pamilya at makakapag-ipon na rin para ako naman ang magpapa-aral sa aking ang mga kapatid. Sa tulong ng DOLE, matutupad na rin ang pangarap ko na maginhawang pamumuhay para sa aking pamilya. -Tiffany Gail Paguio, 20, BS Information Technology graduate from Tarlac City CAR - 1,932 HOTS

Napakalaking bagay ang nagawa ng job fair sa aming paghahanap ng trabaho. Dito namin nakikita na napakarami palang bakanteng trabaho. Kung hindi dahil sa job fair, hindi namin malalaman na marami palang trabaho ang naghihintay sa amin. -Dindo V. Cagayan, 42, heavy equipment operator from Molo, Iloilo City Nalipay kaayo ko kay wala ko nalisdan sa pag pangita ug trabaho ug gi swerte nga nadawat dayon sa akong gi aplayan. Dako akong pasalamat sa DOLE ug sa ilang programa nga job fair kay naghatag kini ug paglaum sa ako ug sa uban pa nga mga aplikante nga makakita ug trabaho (I am very glad to have not experienced any difficulty as I was lucky enough to have been immediately hired. I am thankful to the DOLE for the job fair program as it gave me and the other applicants hope and opportunity to find work). -Rolando Roncales, 37, family man and contractual employee from Davao City

Region 3 - 3,356 HOTS National Capital Region - 4,282 HOTS Region 4-A - 2,806 HOTS

Region 10 - 2,436 HOTS

Region 11 - 1,274 HOTS

Region 12 - 2,091 HOTS