DOLE CLINIC: Bringing Services to Sibugay Island Municipalities

IPIL, SIBUGAY — The Department of Labor and Employmen Region 9 (DOLE 9) thru its Zamboanga Sibugay Field Office (ZSFO) in coordination with Local Government Unit of Mabuhay, Olutanga, and Talusan conducted the DOLE Clinic: Caravan of Services from September 11-13, 2019 in the mentioned island municipalities.

DOLE 9 Regional Director Ofelia B. Domingo shared that the DOLE Clinic intends to bring the government’s services closest to its people especially those living in the far-flung areas.

ZSFO Chief Labor & Employment Officer Imelda F. Gatinao reported that a total of 632 (214 from Mabuhay, 258 from Olutanga, 160 from Talusan) individuals comprised of women, rural workers, senior citizen, youth availed the various services of the clinic.

Series of plenary and break-out sessions were given to the participants such as the conduct of the Public Awareness on Anti-Illegal Recruitment, Anti- Child Labor, and Trafficking-in-Persons.

Sessions on Labor and Human Relations and Productivity were also rendered to the management and workers of micro-enterprises to provide an awareness in upholding and protecting worker’s rights.

Other services provided were Basic Orientation on the Functions of Rural Workers’ Association (RWA) and assessment interviews to 94 parents of the profiled child laborers with the aim of furthering an in-depth study of their child’s engagement into forced labor.

Career Guidance and Job Placement Services were given to 352 Senior High School and Graduating College Students to guide them in choosing their career path.

Saira Ommamalin, 45, one of the attendees, commended the success of the activity.

She said, “Magsarangsukul tuud kami kanyu misan ha malayu man kami, miyari tuud kamu para kamu. Way niyu kami binin. “ (We are very grateful that you came here for us even if we are far away. You did not leave us.) END-With reports from Airon Paul Canizares, CF, ZSFO