CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY (PIA)--Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) Secretary Bienvenido E. Laguesma, with some of his senior officials, visited the city and the DOLE Northern Mindanao Regional Office, May 10–11, during one of his regional visits nationwide, which resulted in a boost in partnership among the local government units, workers in the informal sector (WIS), and labor and management sectors in the formal economy and strengthened solidarity with his regional staff.

Estrella Pahalla, the DOLE-10 OIC Regional Director, welcomed Secretary Laguesma warmly and expressed how grateful the DOLE-10 Regional Office was for Laguesma's visit. Pahalla, as the host, introduced to Laguesma the DOLE family of attached agencies, or the Regional Coordinating Committee (RCC)-10, and the regional office’s officials, May 10, at the Luxe Hotel, here.

His visit led to support for the employees’ productivity in the delivery of public service, health and wellness, and improved working relations through the launching of the Productivity Improvement Program culmination in October 2023, during the Productivity Month celebration spearheaded by the Regional Tripartite Wages and Productivity Board as the program champion, and the sports activities starting in July this year and commencing on DOLE’s anniversary celebration every 8 December.

Moreover, his visit was made more fruitful during the payout of emergency employment wages to the WIS through the department’s program on Tulong Panghanapbuhay sa Ating Disadvantaged/Displaced Workers (TUPAD) and livelihood grants through the DOLE Integrated Livelihood Program (DILP), May 11, also at the Luxe Hotel, this city.

TUPAD payout beneficiaries were the 21,898 shear line affected workers of Misamis Occidental, in partnership with Governor Henry S. Oaminal, with total wages of P140,429,671; 150 affected workers of Misamis Oriental, in partnership with Congressman Christian S. Unabia, amounting to P672,800; and 423 affected workers of Barangay Carmen of this city, in partnership with Mayor Rolando "Klarex" Uy, totaling to P1,885,088.

In addition, Laguesma, working with Congressman Yevgeny Vincente "Bambi" Emano, presented certificates of livelihood assistance to 726 beneficiaries under the group category for their 19 livelihood projects totaling P6.89 million and 264 individuals for their 264 projects totaling P7.92 million, all under the Misamis Oriental province.

Laguesma also turned over five food and snack vending Nego Karts worth P30,000 each to the five individual beneficiaries of Tagoloan, Misamis Oriental, namely, (1) Merisol Encoy; (2) Juan Sarajena, Jr.; (3) Daisy Saqueton; (4) Rosalina Nailes; and (5) Eduardo Abistano, Sr.

Laguesma turned over a total of P157,797,559 worth of TUPAD and DILP assistance to 23,789 vulnerable WIS.

On the same day, Laguesma met the 13 labor and 13 management sector representatives, two intermediaries from the Career Counselors and Advocates-10 and the Federation of Family Welfare Committees, and selected media in the region to shed light on their issues and concerns, which resulted in a stronger and solid tripartite mutual understanding and collaboration, thereby continuing the industrial peace in the region.

Laguesma’s visit was capped at the DOLE-10 regional office, where he personally met all the employees and staff, boosting their morale and motivation to work towards quality public service. He encouraged every employee to boost the department’s image as a respected and easily accessible office for the public.

Ciriaco A. Lagunzad III, Assistant Secretary (ASEC) for Regional Operations Dominique Rubia R. Tutay, ASEC for General Administration and Support to Operations Cluster Warren M. Miclat, and Director IV of the Bureau of Workers with Special Concern Ahmma Charisma Lobrin-Satumba joined Laguesma. (DOLE-10/PIA-10)