DOLE-Rizal Provincial Office (DOLE-Rizal) resumes the conduct of its Labor Education for Graduating Students (LEGS) as a total of 245 graduating students of San Mateo Municipal College (SMMC) attended the labor education seminar recently. In collaboration with Rizal Provincial Government-Public Employment Service Office (RPG-PESO), Municipal Government of San Mateo, and San Mateo Municipal College (SMMC), the Department manage to mount the three-part seminar.
During the activity, San Mateo Mayor Hon. Bartolome N. Rivera reminded the graduating students that although dreams may come true if one has the courage to pursue them, the government has to play its role for them—to guide them to the right track and assist them in reaching the goal that they want to achieve.
Mayor Rivera also reiterated to the students that LEGS is important for them to be equipped with their rights and responsibilities once they graduate and search for employment.
“Alam ko, isa sa inyong unang haharapin pagka-graduate ay ang paghahanap ng trabaho. Kaya mahalagang naririto kayo ngayon upang makinig sa mga kapaki-pakinabang na mga lecture mula sa ating Department of Labor and Employment gayon na rin sa ating Public Employment Service Office upang magabayan kayo sa mga kakaharapin ninyo paglabas ninyo sa kolehiyo,” Mayor Rivera explained.
For the first lecture, Mr. Louie Angelo V. Cruz, Labor and Employment Assistant of RPG-PESO, discussed the techniques and strategies in writing application letter, resume, and shared some tips in doing a job interview. These are the basics that every fresh graduate must know to increase the level of probability in securing the job that they want to.
Ms. Abigail P. Gilpo, Labor and Employment Officer III of DOLE-Rizal, on the other hand, shared about the general labor standards that graduating students should enjoy once they enter the professional field. Starting from the standard number of working hours per week, minimum wage in the municipality, holiday pay, leave benefits that they can avail up to the social mandatory benefits that they should have.
Ms. Gilpo said that the intention of the discussion on General Labor Standards is not intended to urge them to go against their company, but rather to inform them on their basic rights as professionals.
“We are not discussing this with you for you to rebel against your company. Hindi ganoon. [Ito ay] para lang alam niyo ‘yung inyong basic na rights na ineenjoy ninyo doon sa company,” Gilpo exclaimed.
To cap-off the lecture series, Ms. Marizza M. Cabug-os, Officer-In-Charge of PESO San Mateo, introduced the program offerings of their office, particularly on employment facilitation. Ms. Cabug-os pledged that their office will always be open for the soon-to-be professionals like them, and they will give them access to job opportunities that they need.
“Gusto lamang po naman naming iparating sa inyo na… bukas naman po ang aming opisina kung mayroon po kayong concern na maaari naming masagot, pagdating po sa pagbibigay oportunidad at trabaho para sa ating mga kababayan,” Cabug-os assured.
San Mateo Vice Mayor Jaime Romel M. Roxas, SMMC President Dr. Teresita Dela Cruz as well as the other officials of the local college also joined the Department to show their support on the conduct of the activity.
An aid in understanding workplace set-up
For Mr. Julian Vaughn Rafael G. Alfonso, a senior English Secondary Education student, the seminar helped him to deepen his understanding on the key steps he should take as he continue his profession as a future educator.
“Ang aking naibaon sa seminar na ito ay ang mga paunang hakbang kung papaano ang dapat gawin ng isang katulad ko na patuloy na tumatahak sa aking propesyon at mapalalim ang aming pang-unawa sa gagawin kapag kami ay nagtrabaho na,” he said.
Meanwhile, Ms. Cathlyn Joyce P. Guerrero, a senior Accounting Information System student of SMMC hopes that this program of the Department reaches more youth in the community so that, like them, they will also be equipped as to what are their basic rights once they become part of the workforce.
“Sana mas marami pa silang maturaan na youth na kagaya ko para magkaroon sila ng knowledge kung ano ba talaga ‘yung mga rights nila kapag nagtatrabaho na sila at ano nga ba talaga ang madadatnan nila kapag magwowork na sila,” Guerrero wished.
LEGS is one of the program components of Labor and Employment Education Services (LEES) designed to capacitate the graduating students who are soon-to-be part of the workforce. DOLE aims to familiarize them on the Department’s program offerings particularly on employment facilitation. Furthermore, LEGS is also designed to increase the awareness of graduating students on workers protection as well as the social security benefits that they should enjoy.
by:
FLINT OSRIC T. GOROSPE
LEO I
CHARMAINE D. BAISA
LEO III
