Laguesma commended DMBCLU for its active existence for more than a decade and for its expansion and growth into a sustainable enterprise for the benefit of its members and now of the community.
“Pwede po magkaroon ng magandang kalagayan ang ating manggagawa kung ang management at ang mga namumuno sa unyon ay maganda ang ugnayan,” Laguesma said.
(Our workers can have a good situation if the management and the leaders of the union have a good relationship.)
Laguesma emphasized the need to maintain a harmonious relationship between Del Monte Philippines, Inc. management and the DMBCLU, citing differences that were settled and disputes that were prevented because of labor-management dialogue.
DMBCLU President Rollen Rocha expressed being honored to host the occasion. “Ang ambisyon namin sa unyon ay kung may konting kita, maibigay namin ito sa aming mga miyembro para makatulong din kami. Maraming salamat sa funding ng Department of Labor and Employment,” he said.
(Our ambition in the union is that if we have a little profit, we can give it to our members so that we can also help. Thank you very much for the funding from the Department of Labor and Employment.)
Rocha said during the union’s early years, there was no definitive source of income for the organization as they relied mainly on monthly dues to finance union-related activities. He was eager to start their own business and sustain the union’s daily operations as president. Their officers then negotiated with DMPI management and sought help from various agencies, including DOLE.
Humble beginnings
DMBLCU received P260,000 in working capital for their bakery project under the Workers Income Augmentation Program (WINAP) in 2013, due to their good standing as a labor organization and a thorough evaluation from DOLE-10.
They sold bread through cash and salary deductions for the employees and members within the cannery plant as commissaries in the company’s employees’ canteen.
Due to a lack of display area, manpower, and additional capital, they were not able to offer their products to the community. They admitted that even the cannery couldn’t meet bread demand.
However, they remained determined to realize their vision of expansion one day. But even with their limited income, they were still able to offer chiffon cakes to all their members starting December 2013 and free birthday cakes for member-celebrants starting January 2014 until present as added benefits for their members. Every December, they give 10 kilograms of rice to all of their members.
DOLE-10 enhanced the bakery project in 2016 and 2022, both amounting to P500,000 each on updated baking equipment and goods. These improvements prompted the group to increase the number of workers to 16, starting from a midnight “merienda” (snacks) to all-day servings of more than 3,000 breads and pastries.
Rocha also said they have given five kilos of rice to their 250 calamity-stricken members due to flooding and cash assistance due to fire from the Bakery Project’s profits.
As their initial livelihood continued to progress, giving the union a steady income, they were able to spot yet again, another business opportunity. In 2023, they expressed their interest in becoming the service provider for the company’s uniforms and personal protective equipment (PPE).
With assistance from DMPI management, particularly in the area of building improvement, DOLE-10 awarded the union a Kabuhayan Formation for their tailoring project, which included equipment, tools, and textiles valued at P500,000. This project provided employment opportunities to six to eight workers, as well as additional income for the union.
Rocha said the reason for their interest was due to the complaints about the quality of uniforms sold to them by a previous supplier, whose shop was far from the Bugo Cannery, giving them the dilemma of returning 50–100 uniforms for alterations, which burdened the members with added expense. He stated that their primary customer base will be the workers, including those who purchase their sports uniforms.
New year, new opportunity
In 2024, DOLE-X identified DMBLCU as one of the recipients of the livelihood grant under the Worker’s Organization Development Program Plus (WODP Plus) of their good financial records on the said previous projects and their eagerness to expand their business. Their grocery store project worth P1 million was granted and opened the opportunity to offer their products, not just for the members of the union but for the consuming public as well.
Their bread products, which were originally intended to be sold solely for the cannery employees in the canteen, will now also be displayed in their grocery store, strategically located near the national highway, just beside their bakery.
According to DOLE-10’s records, DMBLCU has more than P3 million worth of assets, including fixed assets, and has acquired additional equipment and tools for their bakery business. Additionally, the union has provided permanent employment to several workers.
The bakery project currently employs 13 workers; the tailoring project employs eight; and the grocery store anticipates hiring four more employees. Furthermore, they provide free labor education to all members and are active partners in several DOLE programs, including the Labor Management Cooperation Program and the Family Welfare Program.
With these improvements, Rocha thanked DOLE for the continued funding and technical support. He said, “Kami sa unyon ay ipagpapatuloy po namin ang pagtulong sa lahat ng aming miyembro (We in the union will continue to help all our members).”
In support, DMPI Bugo Cannery Human Resource Business Partner Robert D. Wapaño, representing the management, said the launch was a significant milestone for the company, for it celebrated their collective efforts in fostering an environment of cooperation and mutual growth.
“We are immensely honored to have with us LabSec Laguesma, who greatly enhanced this event, signifying strong partnerships with the government, labor groups, and management in pursuing progressive work practices,” Wapaño said.
Laguesma stressed, “Ang importante ay magkaroon tayo ng tinatawag na ‘mutually beneficial relationship’. Matutuwa ang management at masaya ang mga manggagawa. Tuloy-tuloy ang komunikasyon at kami sa Central Office ay laging handang tumulong sa ating mga Regional Offices. Ako ay masaya dahil ako ay bahagi ng isang makasaysayang pangyayari at kabanata sa buhay po ng union dito sa Del Monte.”
