DOLE sets up Help Desks to assist displaced workers in the regions

Labor and Employment Secretary Marianito D. Roque said today said that Help Desks shall be set up in the regions to facilitate the delivery of assistance and services of the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) to workers at the regional and community level who have been displaced by the global economic crisis.

Roque said the DOLE Helps Desks for economically displaced workers (EDWs) shall be located at all regional welfare offices of the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) except in the National Capital Region (NCR) where the EDWs are being served by the National Reintegration Center for OFWs (NRCO) in Intramuros, Manila.

He said the Help Desks shall serve as a one-stop center bringing the delivery of DOLE programs and services closer to both local and overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) who have been adversely affected by the global crisis.

The Desks shall compose of personnel from OWWA, Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA), Bureau of Local Employment (BLE), and Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA). The DOLE Regional Directors shall oversee the operationalization of the Help Desks.

These agencies, Roque said, shall provide immediate response to the EDWs’ requests for assistance adding that the agencies have been directed to ensure the availability of facilities and materials in providing the affected workers livelihood trainings and loans, job referrals to local and overseas vacancies, and legal assistance and counseling.

The OWWA Welfare Offices are in the following areas: Cordillera Administrative Region - TSS Bldg., Benitez Court Compound Magsaysay Ave., Baguio City; Region 1 – G/F Andronico G. Zambrano Bldg., San Fernando City, La Union; Region 2 – 3/F, Sychanco Bldg., Bonifacio St., Tuguegarao, Cagayan; Region 3 – 3/F FS David Bldg., Dolores H-way, San Fernando, Pampanga; Region 4-A – Penthouse 1-3, Penthouse Bldg., Chipeco Ave., Brgy. Halang, Calamba, Laguna; Region 4-B – 7/F Ben-Lor Bldg., 1184 Quezon Ave., Quezon City; Region 5 – Vista Al Mayon Compound, Washington Drive, Legaspi City;

Region 6 – Rm. 206, 2/F AJL Bldg., Gen. Luna St., Iloilo City; Region 7 – Mezzanine Flr., LDM Bldg., Legaspi St. cor Cuenco Ave., Cebu; Region 8 – Trece Martirez St., DOLE Compound, Tacloban City, Leyte;

Region 9 – 8/F BGDIC Corporate Center, Gov. Lim Ave., Zamboanga City; Region 10 – 2/F Trinidad Bldg., Corrales-Yacapin St., Cagayan de Oro; Region 11 – Doors 31 E-G, GB Cam Bldg., Monteverde St., Davao City; Region 12 – Block II, Reyes Subdvision, Brgy. Morales, Koronadal City; ARRM – 1st Door, Bansil Bldg., Sinsuat Ave., Cotabato City; CARAGA – Numfa Tiu Bldg. II, J.P. Rosales Ave, Butuan City.

For more information on the OWWA welfare offices, interested workers may contact OWWA Hotlines 833-6992, 551-6641, 551-1560, and Mobile 0917-898-6992.