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December 2021
E-KWENTO
Volume 4 * Number 12
bwsc.dole.gov.ph
December 2021
Because of the growth potential posed by the cooperative, the DOLE has granted an additional ₱500,000.00 to
buy 10 more carabaos and additional raw materials.
Through the Kabuhayan Program, the group’s income increased significantly. In 2020, they reported an
earning of a million per month, and a total liabilities and equity of ₱8.2 Million.
They were also able to secure a three-year contract with the Department of Education to deliver 1,236,334
pieces of toned carabao’s milk to schools in Rizal Province for their feeding program. Currently, they have
delivered over 30,000 toned milks to 61 schools in Rizal.
The increase in their income enabled them to acquire one closed van, one L-300, 16 two-door freezers, one
dual-switch freezer, one cooling tower, one heat exchanger, hot water generator, and two auto-fill seals.
More than the material things they purchased, they also generated employment for the people in their
community. From 13 regular employees, the LFMPC now has 38 employees complete with social security
benefits, while also giving back to their members through dividends and the Paiwi System.
“Sa Paiwi System po, ‘yung unang anak po ng kalabaw ay
mapupunta sa farmer. Naging tulong na rin po namin iyon sa
mga farmers. ‘Yung pangalawang anak po noon ang
mapupunta sa Cooperative,” said Ms. Panguito.
Mr. Rodolfo Liones, one of the members and a milk farmer
for 30 years, said that the cooperative helped him with his
livelihood.
Through all these, the Cooperative extends their deepest
gratitude towards the DOLE, and all the other government
agencies who helped them materialize their dreams of better
livelihood.
“In behalf of LFMPC,
salita para sabihin
pasasalamat, sa lahat
assistance, ayuda o
Ms. Paguinto added.
wala po akong makita na sapat na
sa inyo ang aming taos-pusong
ng government agencies, sa lahat ng
project na ibinigay nyo sa amin.”
“Dati sampung piso lang
ang per litro ng gatas. Eh
dito, tumaas na nang
tumaas ang [presyo ng]
gatas noong nagkaroon na
dito sa aming kooperatiba.
Ngayon, nakakakuha ako
ng sampung libo kada
buwan at nakabili na ako
ng tv at bangka na
pangisda,”
EDITORIAL BOARD
Chairperson: Director Ma. Karina Perida-Trayvilla
Editor-in-Chief:
Content:
8527-5856 Telefax: 8527-5858
mail@bwsc.dole.gov.ph
www.bwsc.dole.gov.ph
http://www.facebook.com/bwsc.dole
Content and photos credit to DOLE 4A
DOLE recognizes partners during 88th
anniversary
O
n December 7, 2021, the Department of Labor and
Employment awarded Certificate of Recognition to
program partners that continuously support the Department in
its bid to protect the rights of the vulnerable and marginalized
workers at the GSIS Gym in Pasay City.
The Department of the Interior and Local Government,
Department of Health, Metropolitan Manila Development
Authority, and Department of Social Welfare and
Development (DSWD) were recognized for their contribution
in the implementation of the Tulong Panghanapbuhay sa
Ating Disadvantaged/Displaced Workers Program or TUPAD
especially during the height of the pandemic.
The unwavering commitment and support by the Philippine
Statistics Authority, Technical Education and Skills
Development Authority, as well as the DSWD, to end child
labor through their contribution to the Action Pledge of the
Philippines for the 2021 International Year for the Elimination
of Child Labour were also acknowledged.
The Social Security System was honored for their initiative to
raise awareness on the Batas Kasambahay, and the National
Council on Disability Affairs for implementing programs,
projects, and activities for Persons with Disabilities with the
end goal of promoting an inclusive labor force.
“This year’s anniversary honors our victories despite the
challenging year for our labor and employment sector. Our
accomplishments will not be possible if not for the support of
our social partners - labor and management,” Secretary
Silvestre H. Bello III said in his speech.
DOLE sets up bazaar for livelihood
beneficiaries
As part of the 88th founding anniversary of the DOLE, the
Bureau of Workers with Special Concerns (BWSC) organized
a bazaar for the beneficiaries of the DOLE Integrated
Livelihood Program (DILP) or the Kabuhayan Program last
December 6, 2021 at the General Luna Street, Intramuros,
Manila.
Beneficiaries from the National Capital Region and the Rizal
Province showcased their products that were provided,
improved, or enhanced through the Kabuhayan Program.
Group beneficiaries like Ethos Perfumery, Masville Scrap to
Riches, Nagkakaisang Samahang ng Senior Citizens ng
District VI, Samahan ng Manininda sa UP Campus Inc., Don
Bosco Divine Livelihood, Harlyn’s Original Organic Beauty
Soap, Llano Farmers Multi-Purpose Cooperative, Sampaloc
Agrarian Reform Beneficiaries Multi-Purpose Cooperative,
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December 2021
NEWS
On the other hand, the International Labour Organization,
Grab Philippines, Alliance of Workers in the Informal
Economy/Sector, Lala App Philippines, National Anti-Poverty
Commission - Workers in the Informal Sector Council,
Northern Mindanao Federation of Family Welfare Committees,
Project Inclusion Network, members of the Sugar Tripartite
Council and the Tripartite Consultative Councils for the
workers in the biofuel industry, and the United Domestic
Workers of the Philippines were also recognized for their
abiding support to the goal of the DOLE of inclusive labor
force and decent work for all on December 6, 2021, at the
Rizal Park Hotel./END
E-KWENTO
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And Niogan Agrarian Reform Beneficiaries Multi-Purpose
Cooperative joined the bazaar offering products from
perfumes, clothes, and beauty soaps to canned foods and
dairy products.
Ms. Jill A. Cabradilla, Ms. Donna Javier, and Ms. Anna
Makasose, individual livelihood beneficiaries also exhibited
their products of pastries, balut and salted egss, and
apparels.
Through this, the beneficiaries were able to promote their
livelihoods, and demonstrate how the DOLE Program helped
them strengthen their entrepreneurial undertaking./END
BWSC organizes webinar on Safe Spaces Act
for Women Workers
O
n December 1, 2021, the BWSC spearheaded a webinar, through
Cisco Webex, on the Safe Spaces Act for women workers in the
informal economy, as an observance to the 18-day campaign to end
Violence Against Women.
The virtual orientation, attended by representatives from the DOLE’s
Bureaus, Services, Regional Offices, and Attached Agencies, aimed to
discuss the Implementing Rules and Regulations of Republic Act No.
11313 or the Safe Spaces Act specifically on the provision of appropriate
mechanisms and interventions.
These interventions include redress mechanisms for kasambahay,
informal workers, and those employed in establishments with 10 or fewer
employees.
In his opening remarks, Undersecretary Benjo Santos M. Benavidez,
gave an overview of the orientation, and the need to be equipped with the
latest issuances pertaining to the Safe Spaces Act.
The Department Order No. 230-21 or the Guidelines on Support for
Workers in the Informal Economy under the Safe Spaces Act, and an
Administrative Order on the Guidelines on the Collection, Reporting, and
Management of Data on Gender-Based Sexual Harassment (GBSH)
o commemorate the 88th founding anniversary of Cases and Complaints Filed with the DOLE and its Attached Agencies,
the DOLE, the DOLE Regional Offices were issued by the DOLE Secretary last 22 November 2021.
DILEEP,
Project
Angel
Tree
awarded during DOLE Anniversary
T
simultaneously held payouts for beneficiaries of the
Tulong Panghanapbuhay sa Ating Disadvantaged/
Displaced Workers Program (TUPAD), check
turnovers for the DOLE Integrated Livelihood
Program (DILP), and grants assistance to profiled
child laborers through the Project Angel Tree.
To formally start the discussion, Atty. Allen M. Gasulas, Assistant City
Prosecutor at the Office of the City Prosecutor in Tandag City, explained
the salient features of the Republic Act. No. 11313.
a thousand beneficiaries in Noveleta, Cavite, and
hundreds from the Bicol and Caraga regions were
handed with their TUPAD salaries last December 8,
2021.
The Department Order No. 230-21 and Administrative Order No. 265-21
were explained by Mr. Nicanor Bon from the Bureau of Working
Conditions, and Ms. Myra Flor Ampong from the Bureau of Labor
Relations, respectively.
Aside from TUPAD payouts, livelihood grants were
turned over to Local Government Units (LGUs).
Likewise, BikeCINATION program was held in some
regions.
Mr. Demark Descatiar, Information System Analyst II from the Planning
Service presented the Safe Spaces System.
BWSC Director, Atty. Ma. Karina Perida-Trayvilla then talked about the
gender-based sexual harassment in the workplace in the private sector.
She said that any unwelcome and pervasive sexual advances or favors
At least 4,125 beneficiaries from Cagayan, more than constitute a crime of GBSH in the workplace.
He said, “The Safe Spaces System will serve as the online platform for
the collection, reporting and management of data on GBSH cases or
complaints.”
Twenty-five child laborers were also given assistance
The system process flow starts with the encoding of the details of
through the Project Angel Tree in Caraga region.
complaints that the designated GAD Focal received using the offices’
“It doesn’t matter if the location is tiny or large. As respective accounts in the DOLE Safe Spaces System.
long as there are workers affected by the pandemic,
assistance from the state will come,” Secretary The designated GAD Focal will then refer or endorse the complaint to the
appropriate division/unit or other external office/agency.
Silvestre H. Bello III said as he led the TUPAD payout
The complaints will also be regularly monitored for updates on the action
in Cavite.
taken until they are resolved.
In his official message, Bello reiterated the
commitment of the Department for an inclusive Through this orientation, representatives of various DOLE offices were
workforce through the programs and policies provided with necessary knowledge and information in carrying out their
tasks of providing safe spaces for workers, especially women workers.
designed for all workers./END
/END
J
ala-Jala, a haven of natural bounties of Rizal, boasts
vast land for agriculture. Farming is the main source of
income of most people in the town, which also includes
members of the Llano Farmers Multi-Purpose
Cooperative.
The Llano Farmers Multi-Purpose Cooperative (LFMPC)
started as an association on the latter year of 1980s, and
became a cooperative in 1992.
According to Mr. Raul Castillo, Chairman of the
Cooperative, the group started out in farming, through
palay production and irrigation.
In 2005, the LFMPC ventured out in dairy production
because mainly of the livestock that they own.
“Farmers Association ito noong araw na may mga
alagang kalabaw. Naisipan ng mga miyembro na
i-proseso ang gatas ng kalabaw gamit ang mga hiram
na mga kaldero at kalan,” he further explained.
Mr. Castillo elaborated that since all of the members are
farmers, their income depends on the season of harvest,
and the only livestock available are carabaos.
He added, “Noong araw, wala naman baka rito. Ang
naisip namin ay paano pakikinabangan ng magsasaka ang kanyang mga pag-aaring hayop.”
This is when they started to produce fresh carabao’s milk, chocolate milk, and kesong puti.
But, it was not always easy for the group. At some time, they have hit their breaking point when a number of
farmers sold their carabaos to a dairy company in Laguna to pay off their debts. Because of this, they were
forced to buy their milk produce in Laguna, and loan their raw materials and carabao’s milk, as well as having
their packaging purchased on an installment basis just to meet their production targets.
Through the Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR), and their Development Facilitators, the LFMPC learned
about the DOLE Integrated Livelihood Program, and
became an Accredited Co-Partner in 2012.
“Ang tumulong po sa amin noong 2012 ay ang DAR,
dahil sa mga Development Facilitators nila na
naka-assign dito sa amin na nagsabi tungkol sa
programa ng DOLE. Dahil po dito, natulungan po kami
at nabigyan ng ₱500,000.00 na livelihood assistance.”
said Tagumpay Panguito, General Manager of LFMPC.
The assistance was used to buy 12 carabaos to sustain
their supply of raw materials to meet the demand of their
production, and to continue their dairy products business.
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