ZAMBOANGA CITY, April 4, 2022 – The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE ) 9 reopened its newly renovated Operations Center in Sta. Catalina, Zamboanga City on March 31, 2022 to better serve clients.

DOLE 9 Regional Director Atty. Roy L. Buenafe led the blessing ceremony. Fr. Jose Filmore D. Calibo, Metropolitan cathedral of the Immaculate Conception Parochial Vicar officiated the blessing of the center. Officers and staff of DOLE 9 were also present to witness the event.

Since the pandemic hit, DOLE 9 adhered to minimum health standards by establishing the operations center located near the main gate. This move made it possible for DOLE staff to screen clients using the health checklist. An isolation area for clients exhibiting symptoms was also designated inside the OPCEN.

“The operations center underwent a major renovation to fix leakages, to upgrade facilities and make it look more professional and comfortable for the benefit of the clients and the staff assigned to the center,” Atty. Buenafe said.

The OPCEN staff were relocated to the parking lot which was turned into a temporary receiving area to entertain clients while the OPCEN was being renovated.

Aside from sporting a new look, the operations center is now fully air conditioned, equipped with comfort rooms for both clients and staff use plus a spacious receiving and waiting area.

“The OPCEN caters to walk-in clients requesting for assistance or information on DOLE’s programs and services. This is also where our Single Entry Assistance Desk Officers or SEADOs conduct their conciliation and mediation conferences for labor disputes thus we also designated an area for these conferences,” Atty. Buenafe shared.

The newly renovated DOLE Operations Center is now open to serve clients from Monday to Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM. All clients are required to accomplish the health checklist, wear a face mask and observe minimum health protocols at all times. END