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Wednesday, February 04, 2009

DOLE Sets Serbisyo Caravan For Displaced Workers in Metro Manila

As hundreds of people lose their jobs every day due to the effect of global financial crisis, the Department of Labor and Employment – National Capital Region - Regional Coordinating Council (DOLE-NCR-RCC) strengthens the delivery of its Comprehensive Livelihood and Emergency Employment Program (CLEEP) through the conduct of the 1st DOLE-NCR-RCC Serbisyo Caravan for Displaced Workers. This will be held at the Katipunan Hall, Caloocan City Hall on February 04, 2009 from 8:00 am to 5:00 pm.

The Serbisyo Caravan offers different menu of programs and services that will provide employment, welfare and livelihood opportunities for displaced and disadvantaged workers and their families. The project is in response to the directive of President Gloria Macapagal - Arroyo to formulate strategies to address the impact of the global economic downturn.

According to DOLE-NCR-RCC Chairperson Dir. Raymundo G. Agravante, “this is the first time DOLE-NCR-RCC is coming out with something as grand as this one. As a way of helping our displaced workers mitigate the impact of the global financial crisis, DOLE will bring several programs in one venue through the Local Government Units and our first stop will be in the Camanava area, where DOLE Sec. Marianito D. Roque is the CLEEP Steward.

During the one day event, there will be 1.) Jobs Fair for both local and overseas placements, where job seekers can register at the Phil-Jobnet and Employment Kiosk and where TESDA will conduct skills training demonstration and distribute PGMA Scholarship Coupons. Other government agencies like Philhealth, SSS, BIR, NBI, NSO and PAG-IBIG Fund will also set up booths for the pre-employment documentation need of job seekers. 2.) Diskwento Caravan, a government sponsored flea market where workers and consumers can avail of basic commodities and pharmaceutical products at a very low, discounted price. 3.) Provision of Legal Assistance and Advisory Services on labor and employment concerns where workers can consult with labor lawyers and officers for free and 4.) Information Dissemination on Emergency Employment and Livelihood Programs will also be showcased.

Two new livelihood programs will be launched, Tulong Pangkabuhayan sa Ating Disadvantage Workers (TUPAD) and the Integrated Services for Livelihood Advancement of the Fisher Folks (ISLA). Eight hundred (800) pre-screened TUPAD beneficiaries in Camanava will be awarded checks and certificate of eligibilities for the short term wage employment within 22 working days. This immediate source of income for displaced worker has a total aggregate cost of P6.2 million. Funds for the livelihood projects of informal sector workers as well as ISLA beneficiaries with an aggregate amount of P3.9 million will also be released. This will benefit 365 marginalized workers like vendors, pedicab/tricycle drivers and fisher folks in Camanava.

Formal sector workers too have their share of the livelihood grant releases. Eight (8) Labor Unions and accredited co-partners will also be given assistance for their income augmentation projects amounting to P 3.2 million that will benefit 2,627 workers in the area. Certificates of Eligibility will be distributed for the dependents of displaced workers aged 18-25 years old who will work under the Special Program for the Employment of Students (SPES). They will be given priority for the short term employment come summer vacation of 2009.

Director Agravante points out that project beneficiary includes locally displaced workers, returning OFWs affected by the crisis, and marginalized groups in the informal sector. Service delivery shall follow the “need-service fit” approach, meaning provision of logical assistance to displaced workers will apply. This program is open to the general public.

Dir. Agravante advised interested displaced workers and their dependents to coordinate with their respective Local Government Units through the Public Employment Service Offices (PESOs), the nearest Field Office of DOLE-NCR and at the National Re-integration Center for OFWs (NRCO) in the case of our returning OFWs.

This Serbisyo Caravan will also be done in other areas in Metro Manila in cooperation with Local
Government Units, the Regional Coordinating Council in the NCR composed of ECC, NCMB, NLRC, RTWPB-NCR, OSHC, OWWA, POEA, TESDA, the National Re-integration Center for OFWs and other government agencies, PALSCON and private establishments.

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