DIPOLOG CITY – Some 120 micro-establishment representatives attended the Technical and Advisory Visit (TAV) on August 3 and 4, 2023 at Alba City Function Hall and Sindangan National Agricultural School, Sindangan, Zamboanga Del Norte, respectively.

This, after the Department of Labor and Employment Regional Office 9 (DOLE RO9) rolled out its TAV initiatives in the various cities and municipalities of Zamboanga Peninsula.

Aileen B. Mondejar, Chief of DOLE Zamboanga del Norte Field Office (DOLE-ZDNFO), said in her opening remarks that the TAV aims to provide learning sessions and technical assistance to micro-establishments to ensure high level of compliance with General Labor Standards, Occupational Safety and Health Standards and other social legislations.

The participants of the said sessions were from establishments with a minimum of one (1) and a maximum of nine (9) employees, that are engaged mostly in the wholesale/retail and service industries in Sindangan Municipality.

The sessions included topics on statutory monetary benefits, forms of leave, social welfare benefits and lectures on the OSH program, facilities, and personnel training.

Following the sessions, participants were given the opportunity to ask questions and clarifications in an open forum. At the end of the activity, they were required to submit a filled-out checklist and action plan for both GLS and OSHS.

Mary Jane Ochavo of JMCC Mini Mart thanked DOLE for the invitation.

“The TAV was very effective in educating and giving us information on our obligations as employers. It helped us prepare requirements so that when DOLE comes to visit our establishment, we are more than ready,” Ochavo said.

Rona Guevarra of Water World Refilling Station echoed the same sentiment.

“Thank you DOLE for imparting valuable information to us.”

The TAV is conducted in accordance with Section III of Department Order No. 238-23 or Rules on the Administration and Enforcement of Labor Standards, which aims to ensure that all employees are protected and provided with a safe and healthy workplace. END/KCQGrafia, ZDNFO.