SAN FERNANDO CITY, La Union (PIA) – The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) Region 1 celebrated the 2025 Araw ng Kasambahay on Jan. 18 with a program focused on raising awareness about domestic workers’ rights under Republic Act 10361, otherwise known as the Batas Kasambahay.
DOLE Regional Office 1 spearheaded the event in collaboration with the Bureau of Workers with Special Concerns (BWSC).
The event also brought together 61 participants, including representatives from the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG), local government units (LGUs), barangay officials, and homeowners’ associations to promote better implementation of the law.
In a message delivered during the event, DOLE 1 Assistant Regional Director Honorina Dian-Baga stressed the importance of collaboration in ensuring that kasambahay are informed about their rights.
“This day is dedicated to strengthening partnerships with barangay officials, homeowners’ associations, and other stakeholders to ensure proper implementation of the Kasambahay Law and to empower domestic workers with knowledge of their rights,” Dian-Baga said.
Key highlights from the event include discussions on employment terms, barangay registration guidelines, and workers’ rights and benefits.
Topics such as the International Labor Organization’s (ILO) Violence and Harassment Convention (C190) and care work concepts were also covered.
Engr. Rovan Alric Opinaldo of the DOLE La Union Field Office announced that the minimum monthly wage for kasambahay in Region 1 is now P6,000, effective Nov. 7, 2024.
He added that employers are required to pay wages in cash, with deductions allowed only with the worker’s written consent.
Participant insights
Participants such as Atty. Marilyn Hidalgo, a homeowner representative from Brgy. Langcuas, expressed their appreciation for the program, highlighting how it clarified key aspects of the Kasambahay Law and addressed common concerns within their communities.
“The steps and process in registration, the reporting, the agencies involved, and then the rights and duties—obligations of kasambahay and employer—were well explained. Most importantly, the employment contract was emphasized,” Hidalgo said.
Similarly, Brgy. Kagawad Jenebel Jubilo of Santiago Sur highlighted how the program provided valuable information to address community concerns.
“I learned that even stay-out kasambahay are qualified for benefits such as SSS and PhilHealth contributions from their employers. This program clarifies many things that help us answer questions in our community,” Jubilo said.
Addressing emerging challenges
DOLE and DILG acknowledged that despite collaborative efforts by public and private stakeholders, challenges persist in ensuring full compliance and addressing gaps in barangay-level registration.
Lawyer Michael John Borja of the DILG emphasized the need for barangay kasambahay desk officers to keep updated records and for employers to submit registration forms.
“Employers must submit registration forms and employment contracts to their barangay’s kasambahay desk officers. However, compliance has been low, and we need to intensify coordination with barangay officials,” Borja said.
DOLE pledged to intensify its advocacy efforts by conducting more training sessions, improving collaboration with local officials, and ensuring that domestic workers have access to social welfare benefits and legal protections.
The 2025 Araw ng Kasambahay celebration aligns with the President’s 8-Point Socioeconomic Agenda, promoting inclusive labor policies and protecting marginalized sectors.
For more information about the Kasambahay Law and related programs, contact DOLE Region 1 at (072) 607 9981 or email [email protected]. (CCMT/AIHR, PIA Region 1)
