ILOILO CITY (PIA) -- ‘Kasambahays’ or household helpers in Iloilo were assured of social protection and healthcare services from the government.

The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) recently organized a forum to mark “Kasambahay Day” at the Smallville 21 Hotel in Iloilo City.

“Kasambahays cook, wash plates and clothes, tend to the homes and children or elderly parents of their employers,” said DOLE assistant regional director Melisa S. Navarra in her message.

Bechayda also enumerated the importance of registration of kasambahays which includes protection and security, adding advice for the barangay officials to diligently perform their responsibilities in registering the house helpers.

Batas Kasambahay regional focal person Andrea Pama-Ligad discussed the salient features of RA 10361 or the Batas Kasambahay and the protocols on the rescue and rehabilitation of abused Kasambahay as embodied in the Joint Memorandum Circular (JMC) No. 2015-002 of the DOLE, Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), DILG, Philippine National Police (PNP) and the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI). 

To underscore the importance of health and well-being, nutritionist Romela Dee Candoliza of the National Nutrition Council likewise introduced the government’s nutrition program which is the “10 Kumainments and Pinggang Pinoy.”

The Help Desk composed of representatives from the Social Security System (SSS), Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth), and Home Development Mutual Fund (HDMF-Pag-Ibig) also assisted the kasambahays with their queries and clarifications.

The Pag-IBIG and Philhealth accepted the onsite registration of unregistered participants.

The kasambahays were also pampered with free massage, and each took home tote bags, freebies, and goods from various agencies.

This initiative, in collaboration with different institutions, was made in line with the DOLE’s thrust of providing services to the underserved, unserved, and hard-to-reach sectors of society. (AAL/AGP/PIA 6)