FIRST GOVERNMENT EDIFICE INAUGURATED IN TACLOBAN, LEYTE AFTER TYPHOON YOLANDA

Baldoz inaugurates DOLE Building in Region 8

Labor Sec. Rosalinda Baldoz

The Department of Labor and Employment Regional Office No. 8—the first government edifice in Tacloban to hoist the Philippine flag after the devastation of typhoon Yolanda—was formally inaugurated last week by Labor and Employment Secretary Rosalinda Dimapilis-Baldoz.

DOLE’s rehabilitation of its two-storey regional office, which sits on a 5,363 sq. meter lot, amounted to P3.2-million pesos. The DPWH also shouldered a total of P1-million pesos for the repainting of the building

“The recovery and rehabilitation efforts of the DOLE Region 8 was proof of the cohesiveness of the DOLE family,” Secretary Baldoz said.

The Secretary profusely thanked all DOLE regional offices, including DOLE Central Office services, bureaus, and attached agencies, who were quick to dispatch their augmentation team to help DOLE Region 8 management and staff rise from the aftermath of calamity.

“The physical recovery, the technical and administrative operations assistance, and even up to the extent of helping our regional and field offices staff undergo stress debriefing, were commendable manifestations of our solidarity. The ‘bayanihan’ spirit immensely helped DOLE Eastern Visayas be back on its feet. We also commend our DOLE Region 8 management and staff for their resilience,” said Baldoz.

DOLE’s Regional Office in Tacloban also gallantly stood, despite being devastated by Yolanda, as a symbol of indomitable Filipino spirit, according to DOLE Region 8 Director Elias A. Cayanong.

“Ten days after Yolanda, DOLE Region 8 was the first government office in Tacloban City to raise the Philippine flag in its compound in Trece Martires Street, Barangay Libertad. Our water and sanitation facilities also served some international news organization teams who covered the Yolanda aftermath,” Cayanong said.

DOLE central and regional offices, as well as bureaus and attached agencies, sent goods, cash donations, and provided volunteer manpower resources to assist DOLE RO 8’s operations for over a month.

Baldoz likewise mentioned the same laudable recovery and rehabilitation efforts of the National Maritime Polytechnic, an attached agency of DOLE, also located in Tacloban. “Truly, we rebuilt not only edifice; we also restored distressed well-being,” the Secretary said.

Secretary Baldoz and DOLE Regional Office No. 8 Director Cayanong awarded plaques of appreciation to offices, which assisted them in the aftermath of Yolanda. 

Those who received the awards were Office of the Secretary, Offices of Undersecretary Rebecca C. Chato, Undersecretary Ciriaco A. Lagunzad, Undersecretary Nicon F Fameronag; Office of Assistant Secretary Gloria Tango, and Assistant Secretary Katherine B. Brimon.

DOLE Regional Offices (ROs) were also honoured for quickly dispatching assistance to Yolanda-battered DOLE Regional Office No. 8.  

National Capital Region, Regional Office No. 1, Regional Office No. 2, Regional Office No. 3, Regional Office No. 4A, Regional Office No. 4B, Regional Office No. 5, Regional Office No. 6, Regional Office No. 7, Regional Office No. 9, Regional Office No.10, Regional Office No. 11, Regional Office No. 12, Regional Office No. 13, Cordillera Administrative Region, Negros Island Region, as well as Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) Office No. 5 (Bicol), OWWA Regional Office No. 13, Regional Tripartite Wages and Productivity Board (RTWPB) No. 13, and NCMB Regional Office No. 7, also received their respective commendations.

Likewise honored were Labor Communications Office, Financial Management Service, Human Resources Development Service, Administrative Service, Internal Audit Service, Planning Service, Legal Service, Institute for Labor Studies, Bureau of Local Employment, Bureau of Labor Relations, Bureau of Working Conditions, Bureau of Workers with Special Concerns, International Labor Affairs Bureau, and National Reintegration Center for OFWs, as well as  DOLE attached agencies composed of Occupational Safety and Health Center, Philippine Overseas Employment Administration, National Conciliation and Mediation Board, and National Wages and Productivity Commission.

DOLE also recognized the valuable assistance of Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Regional Office No. 8 and 1st Leyte Engineering District.

Secretary Baldoz also took time to thank the DOLE family for their commitment to the goals of the Department. 

“Nagawa nating tumaas ang pagkilala, pagpapahalaga, at respeto sa manggagawang Pilipino. Now, I am also assured that as I complete my full term as Secretary of the Department of Labor and Employment, a team of resilient DOLE employees, headed by dedicated career officials, will continue giving their 101 percent in carrying out the mandate of the agency, specifically in the service of the Filipino workers,"  Baldoz said. (VergarciaBlogs)