DoLE intensifies VAW campaign
The Department of Labor and Employment (DoLE) encourages women who have been victims of abuses to report their perpetrators to the authorities by intensifying the agency’s campaign on promoting awareness on violence against women (VAW).
Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello III underscored that a lot of women probably suffered from various forms of abuses and harassments amidst the pandemic due to quarantine restrictions imposed by the government which prevents them from saving themselves.
“The implementation of the quarantine may have hindered victims as well to seek help, report the abuse, or escape their perpetrators,” Bello said.
Bello thus ordered all DoLE bureaus, services, regional offices, and attached agencies to promote awareness on the forms of violence that women and girls experience and provide them information on laws protecting their rights.
The labor chief also pushed for the promotion of VAW-related services that people can access and avail of and strengthen the prevention and response system on VAW.
Through its Bureau of Workers with Special Concerns (BWSC), DoLE takes charge in advancing the welfare and interests of workers in the informal sector, women, young workers, and persons with disabilities.
DoLE has also been awarded by the Philippine Commission on Women the GADTimpala Award as one of the most outstanding gender-responsive agencies and for championing labor rights of women and promoting their economic empowerment.
Proclamation 1172, s. of 2006 and Republic Act 10398, s. of 2013 declared 25 November to 12 December of every year as the National Consciousness weeks for the Elimination of Violence Against Women and Children.
Meanwhile, GMA Actress Bea Binene has been appointed special celebrity ambassadress by DoLE.
The distinct position was conferred to Binene in a surprise ceremony led by Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello during a live program from Pangasinan for DoLE’s teleradyo show over the weekend.
As a child talent, Binene brought to fore pressing labor issues in a news and current affairs TV show, early manifesting her passion to help workers via public information.
Despite her success in movies and other endeavors, Binene chose to do what she liked most --- to help the public get informed.
“That’s what I like best about Bea. Her passion is my passion,” Bello said.
“Like DoLE, I’m confident Bea could become a champion and hall of fame in public information. Watch her prove it in our weekly TV show OMJ,” the labor chief added.
OMJ (Oh My Job!) is a radio program that also airs on television every Saturdays from 1 p.m.-2 p.m. on DZBB 594 Super Radyo and simultaneously telecasts on GMA News TV. Anchored by Mr. Arnell Ignacio with Tuesday Niu & Bea Binene, it discusses the welfare and issues of the country’s labor force.
The mission of the program is to bring awareness and provide possible assistance in terms of employment, job security, and other work-related issues that would be beneficial to the Filipino workers here and abroad.