CITY OF SAN FERNANDO – The Department of Labor and Employment’s (DOLEs) Pampanga Field Office has created the first Pampanga Family Welfare Committee (FWC) Federation.
The federation was established during the concluding hour of the FWC Consultation/Advocacy cum Federation Building held at the DOLE regional office in San Fernando City, Pampanga.
DOLE Regional Director Atty. Ana Dione reported to Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello III that some 60 representatives from 31 various industries operating within the province were in attendance.
“We are happy to note that our program partners were in 100 percent attendance in this important undertaking towards building and strengthening our alliance with them in advocating and promoting the Family Welfare Program (FWP) as a key to workplace productivity and improved worker-management relations,” Dione explained.
DOLE Pampanga Field Office head Arlene Tolentino, in her welcome message, urged all attending company representatives for their participation and sharing of their best FWP-related practices.
“Your presence here signifies your willingness to further improve your Family Welfare Committees (FWC), or even create one, in your respective offices. We are hopeful that our consultation would be an exchange of insightful thoughts and ideas that will result to more opportunities and interventions that would benefit the welfare of our employees and further strengthen labor and management relationships at the workplace,” Tolentino said.
Senior Labor and Employment Officer Ma Regina Agustin, kicked off the half-day activity with a comprehensive overview on the DOLE Family Welfare Program or FWP.
In her lecture, Agustin discussed and tackled the conceptual framework, legal basis, objectives, and coverage, as well as the gains and benefits of the FWP.
“Beyond wages, benefits, and safety and health, the welfare or our workers matter because they are the most important asset in an organization. The DOLE FWP is envisioned to improve their quality of life through a tripartite effort in adopting a family-centered approach to the workplace,” Agustin explained, adding:
“The promotion of the DOLE FWP, as described under Department Order (D.O.) No. 56-03, is carried out in the workplace through a Family Welfare Committee (FWC) or a similar welfare-based special body comprising representatives from labor, management, and a plant clinic, if any.”
Agustin noted that companies who employ more than 200 workers shall provide free family planning services, such as the FWP, to their employees and their spouses.
Also highlighted in Agustin’s lecture are the Family Welfare Program’s 10 Dimensions pursuant to D.O. 56-03.
“The 10 dimensions under this Department Order covers Reproductive Health/Responsible Parenthood; Education/Gender Equality; Spirituality and Value Formation; Income Generation, Livelihood, and Cooperative; Medical Health Care; Nutrition; Environment Protection, Hygiene, and Sanitation; Sports and Leisure; Housing; and Transportation,” Agustin explained.
The event also showcased the Best FWP Practices of companies operating within the province which already have existing Family Welfare Committees (FWCs) at their workplaces.
Supervising Labor and Employment Officer Robert Cudal of the Bureau of Workers with Special Concern (BWSC) provided a lecture and assistance in the organization of the Pampanga FWC Federation.
Cudal discussed and explained the salient features and benefits of companies with established FWC Federations as well as the composition and roles of its members.
With the support and cooperation of all attending companies, the Pampanga FWC Federation was established with the following duly-selected interim officials:
• Ferdz Villafuerte (Trust International Paper Corp.) – Chairman
• Elizabeth Gomez (Mekeni Foods Corp.) – Vice Chairman for Manufacturing
• Winnie Villanueva (Mother Teresa of Calcutta Medical Center) – Vice Chairman for Other Industries
• Ryan Sarmiento (Holy Family Academy HSD) – Vice Chairman for Union
• Cara Borje (Golden Dragon Apparel) – Secretary
• Christ Pangilinan (Superl Philippines Inc.) – Treasurer
• Rogelio Eco (University of the Assumption) – Auditor
• Consuelo Gregorio (Systems Plus College Foundation, Inc.) – Public Information Officer (Internal)
• Edwin Quito (Toyota San Fernando Pampanga) – Public Information Officer (External)
Meanwhile, almost all remaining attendees to this consultation were appointed as Board of Directors (BODs) while others as permanent Focal Persons to the newly-created Pampanga FWC Federation.
Aside from Pampanga, the other DOLE Field Offices in other provinces of Central Luzon have either organized or are currently organizing their respective Provincial FWC Federation.
This October, a Regional FWC Federation, comprising officials and members of all organized Provincial FWC Federations in the region will also be created.