QUEZON CITY (PIA) — The Department of Labor and Employment – National Capital Region (DOLE-NCR) will take the centerstage at the 18th episode of “Kapihan sa Bagong Pilipinas.”
Regional Director Atty. Sarah Buena S. Mirasol will lead the discussion and joining her are Assistant Regional Directors, Atty. Jude Thomas P. Trayvilla and Atty. Olivia O. Obrero-Samson.
The episode will address important labor concerns and ongoing programs in the NCR, providing updates on the agency’s key initiatives.
The regional rollout of the “Omnibus Guidelines on Freedom of Association and Civil Liberties,” will be explained. These guidelines aim to raise awareness about workers’ rights to organize, participate in collective bargaining, and engage in union activities. The omnibus was launched in August 2024 and has since garnered attention from various sectors.
Another crucial issue to be discussed is the status of assistance for displaced workers from the Internet Gaming Licensees (IGLs), formerly known as POGOs. As of mid-September, 48 IGLs in the NCR have submitted lists of their affected employees, totaling to 19,341 Filipinos. Most of these workers, who earned between ₱16,000 and ₱22,000 per month, held roles in administrative support, encoding, human resources, liaison, marketing, finance, and IT. DOLE-NCR is working closely with the remaining companies to ensure that their displaced workers receive assistance.
In addition, the episode will cover updates on various employment and livelihood programs, such as the Tulong Panghanapbuhay sa Ating Disadvantaged/Displaced Workers (TUPAD) program, which recently mobilized beneficiaries to assist in disaster relief efforts following Typhoon Carina. TUPAD workers were involved in repacking family food packs for affected areas, including communities impacted by an oil spill in Bataan.
The Special Program for Employment of Students (SPES) and the Government Internship Program (GIP) will also be discussed. DOLE continues to support youth employment through these initiatives, providing financial aid to hundreds of beneficiaries. On September 13, the agency extended ₱2.14 million in assistance to 408 SPES beneficiaries and over ₱5.52 million to 886 GIP beneficiaries.
Kapihan sa Bagong Pilipinas is organized by the Presidential Communications Office (PCO) through the Philippine Information Agency (PIA) to bring timely, relevant, and accurate information about government programs and services to grassroots communities nationwide. (AVS/PIA-NCR / File Photo by DOLE-NCR)
