ISABELA CITY, Basilan - In pursuit of its continuing information awareness drive and education on Republic Act 10361 otherwise known as the "Domestic Workers Act" or "Batas Kasambahay" and its Implementing Rules and Regulations, DOLE 9 through its Isabela City Field Office (DOLE-ICFO) successfully conducted a twin learning session on the said law involving barangay chairpersons and secretaries , City hall and national government agencies employees, core members of the Tripartite Industrial Peace Council (TIPC), private sector partners, and kasambahays last July 5 and 16 at the JB Dans Gymnasium and Formation Center, Isabela City, Basilan.

The event's banner tittle reads "Batas Kasambahay Forum: A learning Session" and its roster of resource speakers were representatives from the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA), Home Development Mutual Fund (HDMF), Social Security System (SSS), Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth), and DOLE-Regional Office 9.

The law essentially calls for convergent government actions and education meant to enhance protection and welfare of household workers. A total of 270 participants took part in the activity whose concerns and apprehensions were fully addressed and discussed during the open forum. Engr. Wesley D. Tan of DOLE ICFO effectively steered the proceeding of the program being the Master of Ceremony as well the open forum's moderator.

As prime mover and partner, City Mayor Cherrylyn S. Akbar was represented by Administrator Ramon T. Nu?al, Jr. who delivered the mayor's welcome message underscoring this emerging challenge to provide the needed support mechanism to better protect the kasambahays. Also gracing the occasion were City Councilor Reybert P. Santos, President of the Liga ng mga Barangay, Committee Chairperson on Labor Councilor Jeromy L. Casas, and PESO Manager Otilla W. Ricabalanca.

Meanwhile, DOLE Regional Director Sisinio B. Cano in a quoted statement said that the learning session is just part of a series of intensified advocacy campaign geared towards smooth implementation of the Batas Kasambahay particularly in Zamboanga Peninsula Region.

As a concrete start, DOLE provided templates of employment contracts, pay slips, and profile of kasambahay for registration at the barangay level. The social welfare cluster of SSS, Philhealth, PAG-IBIG also provided forms to facilitate registration including minimum requirements.

As of this writing, there are already eight (8) employers and seven (7) household workers registered with the SSS-Isabela City Field Office.

(cyrus p.tingcang)