IN order to further strengthen the welfare of its employees in the workplace, the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) XI has recently established its own Family Welfare Committee (FWC).

The creation of the said committee was in compliance to Office Order 23 which is pursuant to DOLE Department Order No. 56-03: “Rationalizing the Implementation of Family Welfare Program (FWP) in DOLE” and Department Order No. 3, series of 2009: “Intensifying the Implementation of the Family Welfare Program Through Provision of Family Health Program Services.”

The committee members, headed by DOLE XI Regional Director Joffrey M. Suyao, took oath on Monday, May 30, 2016 before DOLE XI OIC-Assistant Regional Director Jason P. Balais.

“FWC shall be responsible for planning, organizing and implementing the family welfare program for the personnel and their families focusing on the ten dimensions of the FWP which will serve as a guide in the implementation of programs and projects..,” the Office Order read.

The ten dimensions include: Reproductive Health and Responsible Parenthood, Education/Gender Equality, Spirituality or Value Formation, Income Generation/Livelihood/Cooperative, Medical Health Care, Nutrition, Environmental Protection, Hygiene and Sanitation; Sports and Leisure, Housing, and Transportation.

Hannah O. Badilles, FWP Regional Focal person and secretariat of the committee, said that this is a huge step as the Department has been promoting Family Welfare in private establishments.

“We have been promoting this program in private establishments and now through the committee we can become a role model to these establishments as well,” she said.

The FWC members, as stated in the order, are also tasked to provide capability building activities for the effective implementation of the FWP in the Department. There will also be orientation-seminars focusing on reproductive health, gender equality and nutrition for all personnel.

Kriztja Marae G. Labrador/LCO-DOLEXI