Isabela City, Basilan. At 5:00am of May 1, 2014, the community of Isabela City converged at Plaza Rizal to kick-off the 4-in-1 Labor Day celebration with a creative 3KM Jog/Walk for Industrial Peace Year 3. Almost 600 cheerful participants coming from the labor, management, government, military and police personnel, and people's organization gathered in fostering harmonious labor management relations and promoting wellness and healthy lifestyle.

Bannering the theme "Sa Sipag, Tiyaga at Talino, Buong Mundo Saludo Sa Mangagawang Pilipino" with the Isabela City Tripartite Industrial Peace Council at the helm, thirteen (13) rank and file employees from the private sector were awarded Outstanding Employees. Putting value their productivity contributions as messenger, salesclerk, dockworker, fisherman, dispatcher, conductor, technician and accountant, they received certificate of appreciation, labor day 2014 magic mug, pair of slippers and t-shirt.

A total of 125 packs of grocery items were raffled to the workers and cash incentives to winners of the jog/walk courtesy of private and public partners and the local government of Isabela City. Special awards such as Most Cooperative Team, People's Organization Award, Early Bird, Youngest and Oldest participants were likewise recognized.

Embracing not only the formal sector, this year's event witnessed the 60 marginalized workers receiving various livelihood starter kits package of services amounting to 453, 230.50 from native snacks and food preparation, carpentry, home based sewing, electrical, gardening and hollow block making.

Special Program for Employment of Students (SPES) grantees also made significant contributions by going green and embarking in a clean-up drive at the city's grandstand. Armed with brooms, sacks, and bolos, they (students) amassed 21 sacks of plastics and wastes engaging to help keep our city clean and green.

Another installment for the labor month will be the Diskwento Fair, Presyong Panalo sa Mamimiling Pilipino on May 16 in-front of Mabuhay Trading, I. Magno Street, this city. This is a non wage benefits to workers in the private, public, and informal sector aims to provide a venue wherein consumers will purchase wide array of basic/prime goods at a discounted rate including school supplies.

A Cocowayan Job Fair was also conducted last April 21 as an institutionalized employment facilitation of the city's 13th Founding Anniversary. Sponsored by the City Government of Isabela and Public Employment Service Office, 62 applicants were interviewed, with 26 qualified and 6 applicants hired on the spots.

Reported by Marcie Arcaya & Cely Cabang