Zamboanga City - Members of the Department of Labor and Employment Regional Coordinating Committee (DOLE-RCC) in Zamboanga Peninsula Region have joined together to discuss the Republic Act No. 10361, known to be the "Batas Kasambahay" which was held last July 16, 2013 at Grand Astoria Hotel, Zamboanga City.

DOLE Regional Director Sisinio B. Cano, during his welcome message, recognized the presence of the Zamboanga City Barangay chairpersons, Barangay officials and media partners who attended the said activity. "We are thankful that, with us are the Barangay officials and media practitioners, who are instrumental in disseminating the Batas Kasambahay to their constituents," Cano added.

Together with Dir. Cano was Atty. Verna Kate B. Santos, DOLE RO-IX Med- Arbiter, who discussed the salient features of the RA 10361, and its mandatory benefits. Also present during the discussion were Dir. Lorenzo G. Macapili of the Technical Education Skills and Development Authority (TESDA) who discussed the various skills trainings available including the appropriate national certificate for the Kasambahays, Ms. MaribethAzuelo from the Social Security System (SSS) who updated the participants with the registration requirements of their agency, Mr. Roy Agosila, of the Home Development Mutual Fund (HDMF) who shared the services of Pag-Ibig to the Kasambahays, and Mr. Edgardo Faustino of the Philippine Health Insurance Services ( PhilHealth), explaining to the participants the benefits that the kasambahays could get from their office.

Together with the panel of discussants were Philippine Overseas Employment Agency- Regional Extension Unit IX (POEA- REU IX) Officer -in-Charge Marietta G. Bellotindos, Overseas Workers Welfare Administration - IX (OWWA- IX) Director Hassan Gabra T. Jumdain, National Conciliation and Mediation Board IX (NCMB-IX) representative Gerard Peter Mariano, and Regional Tripartite Wages and Productivity Board IX (RTWPB IX) representative Imelda delos Reyes.

"Talakayansa DOLE", a joint activity of DOLE RO IX with its attached agencies, is being conducted once a month with the desire to promote the programs and services of DOLE and RCC to the public through the media people. This was co-hosted by TESDA.

Gay Iris T.S. Tangcalagan