DOLE Clinic opens in Naga City

Constituents of Naga City in southern Cebu need not have to travel around 25 kilometers to lodge their complaints before the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) in Cebu City.

This as DOLE recently launched its "clinic" in Naga City as part of its goal of establishing a mechanism of bringing DOLE closer to the people.

Maria Grace Diaz, DOLE-Cebu Provincial Field Office head, said project would help, among others, cut down the travel expenses of Nagahanons.

The DOLE Clinic is meant to bring the department's services closer to the community by offering information, services and referral to appropriate agencies on matters, such as local and overseas employment, entitlements under general labor standards and occupational safety and health standards, labor relations and livelihood assistance.

DOLE-7 Regional Director Cyril Ticao, in a statement, said its clinic is a demonstration of the agency's intention of seeking help from the local government units, insofar as efficient and effective delivery of its services is concerned.

The endeavor, Ticao said, is one of the strategic thrusts of the government.

"We purposely do this because it is our goal of bringing the DOLE more closely to the community by providing them preemployment facilitation, labor standards enforcement, dispute resolution, and livelihood assistance, among others," Ticao said, adding that the clinic will be the center of the department's public assistance at the community level.

Naga City Mayor Kristine Chiong, in the same statement, has lauded DOLE for actively implementing its programs and services among her constituents.

The mayor reiterated their commitment to serve as an implementing arm of DOLE's programs and services.

Aside from the clinic, DOLE has existing programs in Naga, such as the Special Program for Employment of Students; DOLE Integrated Livelihood and Emergency Employment Program; and the various employment-facilitation programs.

"Development does not only involve the city having newlyconstructed facilities and infrastructure projects but also the common people having a means of living on their own. That's why we are so happy for the presence of DOLE,"' she said in her speech.

The launching was also attended by various sectors and partner industries.

On the other hand, the city government of Naga and the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration-7 signed a memorandum of agreement for the establishment of OWWA Help Desk at the city's Public Employment Service Office.

The help desk aims to protect and promote the welfare of OFWs and their families living n the city. —

Mitchelle L. Palaubsanon/KBQ