DOLE-7 Capacitates Hotline Assistance Officers

The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE-7) held recently a one-day orientation for its Hotline Assistance Officers (HAOs).

The orientation discussed the programs and services including issuance and pronouncements on labor-related issues and its advocacy of ending ENDO or abusive employment arrangements, said DOLE-7 Labor Communication Officer Luchelle Taniza.

According to Taniza, the activity aims to ensure that the people assigned as HAOs are capable and reliable enough to handle the task.

The implementation of the department’s 24/7 Hotline Call Services is in response to the mandate of President Rodrigo Duterte through Labor and Employment Secretary Silvestre Bello III.

The activity paved the way for the discussion and engaged exchange of ideas on Department Order 18-A; Pending bills at the Congress in relation to Security of Tenure; Labor Laws Compliance System (LLCS); Single Engry Approach (SEnA); DOLE’s Frontline Services and Local Employment Opportunities; and ENDO especially on Labor Advisory No. 10-16 and Department Order 162-16.

“We want to see to it that when we assign tasks to people, we do not only do it just for the sake of compliance to the marching orders of the Labor Chief. We ensure that we give the responsibility to the right people who are armed with accurate information in order not to mislead our customers,” said DOLE-7 Regional Director Exequiel Sarcauga.

Representatives from the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA), Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA), and National Reintegration Center for OFWs (NRCO), likewise, talked about their programs and services that are relevant to the operations of DOLE-7 24/7Hotline Call Services.

Assistant Regional Director Joel Gonzales said DOLE-7 Regional Office maintains 512-8133 and (0977) 6109202, the two main numbers operating 24/7 and are managed by 12 designated HAOs.

The HAOs of the day are equipped to respond to and provide actions on the following queries: local and overseas employment opportunities; employees’ rights and benefits; working conditions; wages; labor relations; DOLE’s frontline services; and information on ENDO, among others.

The DOLE-7 24/7 Hotline Supervision and Support Group has devised a mechanism to link to other agencies for queries relevant to their programs and services.

Apart from the hotline numbers at the Regional Office, customers in Bohol and Siquijor can also channel their questions to the hotline numbers maintained by the specific field office.

The Bohol Field Office (BFO) is ready to accommodate queries through Hotline Numbers (038) 510-0123 and (0917) 799-0659.

The Siquijor Field Office (SFO) has the number (0915) 414-5662 to attend to queries.

Establishment of the 24/7 Call Services at the DOLE-7 Regional Office and at its field offices target to provide the DOLE’s customers with faster and more responsive call services. (rmn/jsme/PIA7-Cebu with DOLE7 report)