MANILA – The DOLE-Bureau of Labor Relations organized the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding between the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), National Anti-Poverty Commission (NAPC), and the NAPC-Formal Labor and Migrant Workers Sector (NAPC-FLMWS) on 14 July 2023 at the Office of the Secretary (OSEC) Conference Room, DOLE Building, Intramuros.
DOLE Secretary Bienvenido E. Laguesma and some DOLE Senior Officials, NAPC Secretary Lope B. Santos III with other NAPC officers, and NAPC-FLMWS Sectoral Representatives headed by Mr. Edwin Bustillos were in attendance for the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU).
In his message of support, Mr. Edwin A. Bustillos emphasized the importance of having a union in every enterprise and establishment in lowering the incidents of poverty by taking advantage of DOLE programs like DILP and WODP.
“Importante po ang mga programang ito at kailangan nating tuloy-tuloy na ipatupad, Malaking bagay po yung institutional support na ating pinirmahan ngayon, sapagkat naniniwala tayo na yung laban sa kahirapan ay hindi lamang ugnayan ng departamento at ng sektor, kundi kung ano yung pwede natin magawa sa nasasakupan natin,” he added.
The NAPC Lead Convenor, Secretary Lope B. Santos III, on the other hand, said that the ultimate objective of the National Anti-Poverty Commission (NAPC) is to reduce the number of people living in poverty in the country to a single digit by the year 2028 as directed by President Ferdinand “Bongbong” R. Marcos Jr.
Secretary Santos III further discussed the budget for poverty reduction and support to our basic sector for every National Government Agency. “Ang tingin po namin, if we will maximize the resources of the National Government and converge with the resources of the Local Government Units (LGUs), we will have a good chance to realize the target of our President (Ferdinand “Bongbong” R. Marcos Jr.),” he stated.
The DOLE Secretary, Bienvenido E. Laguesma, in his response, challenged NAPC-FLMWS to strengthen their commitment to promote and avail the services and programs of DOLE especially in the 4th, 5th, and 6th level municipalities to help reduce poverty while continuously promoting inclusive growth.
“Ito pong pagpapatibay ng ating partnership ay isa pong malaking hakbangin para sama sama nating layunin na makatugon doon sa 8-point socio-economic agenda ng ating Pangulo. Kung atin pong bibigyan ng summary ang ibig sabihin nito ay inclusive growth, reduction of poverty in single digit at ang mahalaga po, quality and decent jobs para sa ating manggagawa sa loob ng ating bansa,” said Secretary Laguesma.
The MOU strengthened DOLE’s continued support and funding of FLMWS activities for each calendar year, as well as access to other DOLE programs such as the DOLE Integrated Livelihood Program (DILP), Tripartism and Social Dialogue, and Employment Programs, among others.
The MOU serves as a formal agreement, outlining the commitment of all parties involved to work together in promoting and implementing the Basic Sector Agenda and Work and Financial Plan of NAPC-FLMWS. This is the third memorandum the parties have inked since 2017 and served as a testament to their unwavering commitment to alleviating poverty and pushing toward social reforms.
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