Mar 28, 2005
Family Welfare Program of DOLE
DOLE Dept. Order No. 56-03
Series of 2003
BASIS:
1. Article 134 of the Labor Code
2. 1995 International Conference on Women.
3. 1999 International Conference on Population and Development Program of Action.
4. The Philippine Population Management Program
5. Directional Plan for 2002-2004.
6. The Philippine Plan for Nutrition 1999-2004
NEW PRIORITIES/ TEN DIMENSIONS:
1. Reproductive Health and Responsible Parenthood.
2. Education/ Gender Equality
3. Spirituality or Value Formation
4. Income Generation/Livelihood/Cooperative
5. Medical Health Care
6. Nutrition.
7. Environment Protection, hygiene and Sanitation
8. Sports and Leisure
9. Housing.
10. Transportation
EMPLOYERS RESPONSIBILITY
1. Establishment employing more than 200 workers in any locality “shall” form a Family Welfare (FWC) committee through the assistance of the DOLE Regional Offices. Those employing less than 200 employees are “encourage” to do the same.
2. Employers are urged to provide the necessary support, assistance and resources to FWC in the conduct of capability building activities for labor and management leaders, members of FWC committee, clinic and clinic staff, and peer educators.
I was one of the participants in a forum where the subject matter is discussed with gov’t, employer, union and n.g.o. representatives.
It was presented that more labor organization are including non cash benefits on its CBA with management, particulary family planning & family welfare.
Likewise, if the program will be implemented, said by DOLE, the results will be less absenteeism and high morale of employees.
Concerns raised:
1. The ten dimensions of the program can be used by employee against management.
2. The ten dimensions may be too expensive for management
3. With this order, it seemed that there is no more room for CBA negotiation.
4. On the item of family planning, conservative management may not welcome the idea of artificial contraceptives.
5. What constitute compliance is not clear.Suggestions given:
1. Concrete study on the effect of effect of the program to the ‘bottom line’ and the effect of the program to the employee.
2. Focus on projects that add value
programs like this is laudable but it is pity to know how could you come up with such plans or programs without even considering the high probability of its failure due largely to some of our corrupt officials and well to me this is just a good shot of alibis to drain our public funds for their personal use.i do not want to look it that way and i suppose to be positive as i could be so much that changes take place in our midst but again i do not want to just close my eyes to the naked truth…………MANY IN THIS COUNTRY ARE MALNOURISHED DUE TO THE FACT THAT FUNDS FOR THIS KIND OF PROGRAM NEVER GET INTO REALITY A 100% nd happy are we if at all it reaches atleast 50% of it really goes to the program..JAIL THOSE CORRUPT OFFICIALS AND COME UP WITH SUCH NICE AND NOBLE PROGRAMS OTHERWISE YOU WILL JUST BE AN INNOCENT ACCOMPLICE TO THEM.