ALLWIE/S, busy with various committee meetings of the government and with ILO

          The Sub-Committee on Exclusive Breasfeeding in the Workplace of the Joint Program of international development bodies with the government  to achieve Millenium Development Goals (MDG) held its meeting on June 1, 2011 at the ILO office.  It was discussion on the budget allocations for the development partners on EBF in the workplaces that was discussed which is piloting three (3) cities namely, Iloilo, Zamboanga and Naga. The ALLWIE/S and NAPC shares responsibilities in the implementation for the EBF in the workplaces.      

         The President of Alliance of Workers in the Informal Economy/Sector, Susanita Tesiorna, attended the 26th Meeting of the Technical Committee on Poverty Statistics of the National Statistics Coordination Board. Ms. Tesiorna, a member to it since 2004, represents the Trade Union Congress of the Philippines (TUCP).  The meeting was held on June 7, 2011 at the national office of NSCB of which the main agenda is the 2009 Official Poverty Statistics and the preparation for the Philippine Statistical Development Program (PDSP) 2011-2016 Chapter on Poverty and Income Statistics. There was also the discussion on the creation of the Technical Working Group on Poverty Reduction Statistics.

          On June 14, 2011, Ms. Tesiorna joined the representative from the National Anti-Poverty Commission, Mrs. Nenita Nartea, to attend to the Committee Meeting on Small Business and Entrepreneurship Development at the House of Representatives. She manifested that ALLWIE/S will submit position paper particularly on the arguments in the floor based on her experience in the implementation of the Barangay Micro-Business Enterprise Act, in advocating with the local government units and the micro-entrepreneurs on such law.  She also informed the Hon. Chairman, Teddy Casino, that NAPC-Workers in the Informal Sector, which she represented, had inputs in some of the provisions of the Romualdez Bill during the 14th Congress.

          On June 16, 2011, the DOLE conducted a technical working group meeting of the National Technical Advisory Committee-Decent Work to present for action the following :  1) Trade Policy Research Network, 2) highlights on One Country, One Voice: Institutionalizing Stakeholder Participation Towards a Unified Trade Strategy of the Philippine Government, 3) Memorandum of Agreement between DTI and PIDS, and 4) Briefing Notes on Phil. Trade Policy Formation.

          On the local level of the ALLWIE/S membership, members and officers are occupied in the advocacy at the local government units for the protection, development and representation of the workers in the informal sector.

          ALLWIE/S believes that with the other networks in the advocacy, the informal sector will have their equal opportunities for protection, development, access to productive resources, access to justice and human rights in general.          
         
 

The KALAHI-CIDSS NTWG Approved Creation of Technical Working Group Urban CDD

          According to the presenter of The KALAHI-CIDSS (KC) is a project of the Philipine Government implemented by the Department of Social Welfare and Development . Using the Community-Driven Development Approach, the project aims to address poverty by a) empowering citizens to meaningfully participate in development activites, and b) enhancing the capacity of local governments to effectively respond to citizen's informed demand for development. This project begun in 2003 and has covered 184 poor rural municipalities in 42 of the poorest provinces in the country.

          This period of project implementation, (urban CDD), aims to cover poor urban areas in 75 Urban Poor Communities in Metro Manila, Cavite and Laguna.  The total project cost of $3,600,000 will be counter funded as grant in the amount of $3,000,000 by the Japan Social Development Fund (JSDF) and $600,000 by the Phil. Government.

          The KALAHI-CIDSS National Technical Working Group created the Technical Working Group on Urban CDD composed of government agencies and civil society. Susanita "Babes" Tesiorna, President of ALLWIE/S being an institutional partner of the Department of Labor and Employment was endorsed to participate the 1st meeting towards its creation.  The DOLE must be confident of endorsing Susanita Tesiorna because of her active engagement of the KALAHI-CIDSS being a member of its National Steering Committee from its pioneering stage (2003 to 2005) and her expertise in informal economy organizing through enterprise development, a key component in this project implementation. 

            During this meeting held at Adarna and Food Culture on May 20, 2011, Ms. Tesiorna proposed that the private sector should be included as one of the dialogue partners for marketing of product assistance and inventory bulk-buying, the group enterprise development should be encouraged as one of the prototype and DTI must have full participation to guide what kind of products and services to go into for business to avoid the wish-listing attitude of the clients.

            Usec. Jude Esquerra from the National Anti-Poverty Commission also expressed that this project must be consistent with PNoy's thrust of "Balik Probinsiya" for the informal settlers.  

Breakfast Meeting with PNoy on Labor Day 2011

Pres. Simeon Benigno Aquino III joins the Labor Leaders and Speakers
of the Program.  From PNoy to right : Ms. Esperanza Ocampo for PGEA-
TUCP, Atty Allan Montano for FFW, Victorino Balais for PTGWO-TUCP,
Susanita "Babes" Tesiorna for ALLWIE/S-TUCP, Sr. M. Bernadette C.
 Guzman, RGS for PAMWA, Vladimir Tupaz for TUPAS an Sec. Rosalinda
 Dimapilis-Baldoz of DOLE 

“ LABOR DAY 2011 “

Speech by Susanita G.  Tesiorna

                  President, ALLWIE/S

            His Excellency, President Benigno Simeon C. Aquino III, *(the Hon. Vice-President Jejomar C.  Binay, who helped us in the implementation of the DOLE Country Program for the Informal Setor, especially in providing the food vendors “Jolly Jeeps” to avoid demolition by MMDA), Hon. Roalinda Baldoz and Sec. Butch Abad, other honorable members of the Cabinet, my fellow workers, leaders, the ILO Country Director and guests,

            “ Maalab na Pagbati Tungo sa Marangal na Trabaho at Disenteng Pamumuhay Para Sa Lahat sa pamamagitan ng Matuwid na Daan Tungo sa Kaunlaran Para Sa Lahat! ” 

            While our brothers in the formal labor, sounds loud for increased salary, the workers in the informal economy, sounds louder, for security of workplaces, and at workplaces, to preserve their only means of living. 

            Mr. President, I  bring to your attention today,  the most pressing issues of the home workers, street vendors, small transport, micro-entrepreneurs and non-corporate construction workers, to keep their only means of livelihood, preserved and protected by the government: 

1. No clear policy and institutionalized program for alternative livelihood for the displaced street vendors, kuliglig drivers and operators, and those demolished urban poor;
   
   
2. No implementation of RA 9509 which mandates establishment of livelihood centers or common work areas and skills training centers in the 4^th, 5^th and 6^th class municipalities for the home producers and micro-entrepreneurs;
   
   
3. Unsustained mechanism for consultative processes for inclusion in the national and local government development plans of issues of informal economy for the protection of workplaces and at workplaces;
   
   
4. Lack of support in the passage of the bill , the Magna Carta for the Workers in the Informal Employment which promotes for the protection and development of the workers in informal economy in the local government, most especially; and,
   
   
5. Lack of implementation of the RA 6685 which should have generated jobs in the construction industry of local infrastructure projects, or implementation of for the non-corporate construction workers; and,
   
   
6. Bureaucratic bottlenecks in the engagement of sectoral groups with the local government for all Basic Sectors.

Mr. President, ALLWIE/S  envision the workers in the informal sector/economy  who are:

>     emancipated from the bondage of poverty, inequality, vulnerability and
       disadvantage,

>     with equal access to opportunity, human rights and an environment that is
       democratic and equitable, and

>     are able to fulfill their full potentials and take control of their future.

As we celebrate today Labor Day 2011, millions of workers in the informal economy await your pronouncement, a commitment that will protect our workplaces, that will protect our only means of living.

            The 24.76 million workers in the informal economy will remain disadvantaged and will have to do their own battle for emancipation from poverty without your support, without your commitment for action.

 Mabuhay ang Manggagawang Pilipino !          

Legend:  *  Omitted since VP Binay wasn’t able to attend.

NAPC Basic Sector Consultation Workshop reflected new direction of Engagements with the Government

Hon. Sec. Jose Eliseo M.  Rocamora, NAPC Lead
Convenor 

      The National Anti-Poverty Commission conducted Basic Sectors' Consultative Workshop on April 6-8, 2011 at the Ciudad Christia, Barangay Ampis, San Mateo Rizal with the theme : " Kung Mamamayan Ang Boss, Solusyon sa Kahirapan Ay Malulubos".
       Participants from broadest representation including the council members and sectoral representatives from 1998 to 2010 were invited.  There are new players among the Basic Sectors attending the consultation.  Sec. Rocamora spoke of challenges for basic sectors' participation and empowerment in the government's.  
     Ms. Jess Rebete presented the new localization framework to be used in the implementation of PNoy's anti-poverty reduction programs such as Conditional Cash Transfer, SEA-K. The localization framework called "Bayanihan-Salubungan Frame" calls for :  1) operationalization of multi-partnership convergence group at priority poorest municipalities and provinces , 2) synchronization of Regional Line Agencies, LGU, Private/basic sectors' budgetting with local participatory poverty reduction planning and budgetting process, 3) implementation and monitoring of completion of standard monitoring systems for projects delivered by line agencies, LGU's, private sectors, including basic sectors' monitoring system, and 4) technical assistance on foreging  partnership with cvabinet and line agencies and other stakeholders on localization concerns.    

        Ms. Susanita Tesiorna of ALLWIES, Mr. Rafael Mapalo and Ms. Karen Tanada were panel of reactors to the presentation of Ms. Beth Yang on her presentation of revisiting the Basic Sectors' Participation in the National Anti-Poverty Commission. The four Administrative Orders (AO 11, AO 36, AO 21 and AO 187) from President Erap's administration to Pres. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo.     

From left to right :  Susanita Tesiorna of ALLWIES, Beth
       Yang of Pilipina, Raffy Mapalo of TUCP and
                     Karen Tanada of WAND.

      

The representatives from the Workers in the Informal
Sector took a pose with Sec. Rocamora.

HOR Committee on Health conducted TWG Hearing on PhlHealth Amendatory Bill

    The Committee on Health chaired by Hon. Rep. Golez conducted Technical Working Group meeting on the proposed legislative measures to strengthen the social health insurance program of the government by amending RA 7875 (An Act Instituting A Natiopnal Health Insurance Program for All Filipinos and Establishing the Phl. Health Insurance Corporation for the Purpose) as amended.

    The proposed amendment as to Section 2: Declared Policy was adopted as follows :  " Pursuant to 1987 Phl. Constitution, the State hereby declares the policy of protecting and promoting the right to health of the people and instilling health consciousness among them.  Towards this end, the State shall adopt an intgferated and comprehensive approach to health development, which shall endeavor to make essential goods, health and other services available to every Filipino at affordable cost." 

     Susanita "Babes" Tesiorna submitted an initial position paper submitted an initial position paper about the definition of informal sector, informal economy, the ne and old view of informal sector, the definition of self-employment and wage employment, key features of the informal economy, significance and permanence, continuum of economic relations and segmentation. Such position paper is expected to influence the legislators and other stakeholders on the proposed legislation in order to meet the objective of universal coverage of social health insurance for the poor.

     The information Tesiorna submitted was highly commended by Hon. Golez in aid of their work.  It also explains the NSCB Resolution No. 2 on Informal Sector definition and the coverage of the NSO Informal Sector Survey 2008.  Ms. Tesiorna was joined by Mr. Roserel Virtudazo, Vice-President of ALLWIES for NCR.  Other invitees were of course Phil Health, private sector, DOH, Associations of Health Service Providers, and civil society.  All repesentatives from various offices present were invited to the next committee hearing.

Susanita Tesiorna of ALLWIES and Rhoda Avila of DSWP

DOLE almost done for the Philippine Labor and Employment Agenda 2011-2016

     The Department of Labor and Employment conducted on April 1, 2011 at the Bayview Hotel a Multi-Partite Consultation Workshop in preparation of the National Summit on Labor and Employment this April 27. The consultation workshop was participated by trade union leaders, informal sector leaders, private sector and the plus sector (NGO, civil society organizations, academe, etc)   The activity revealed that stakeholders and DOLE are almost done in the drafting of the Labor and Employment Agenda 2011-2016 and forging the Philippine Jobs Pact in a consultative process. 

      The said activity aimed to mainstream the concerns and suggestions of the social partners and other stakeholders in the Labor and Employment agenda and to general key sectoral positions or recommendations that form part of the agenda.  It is recalled that the Department of Labor conducted series of island-wide and sectoral consultations last October to November with its social partners.  As an initial result, relevant issues and priority issues were gathered, forming part of the DOLE inputs submitted for adoption in the Philippine Development Plan (PDP) 2011-2016.

     Susanita Tesiorna participated to it and recalled that she also participated in the national workshop held in St. Benilde, La Salle. She reports that she is very hopeful that concerns of the informal sector are being mainstreamed to the PDP 2011-2016.

     According to the introductory chapter of the Labor and Employment Agenda, it seeks the attainment of the over-all macroeconomic goals set forth in the Philippine Development Plan 2011-2016, particularly the goal of inclusive growth. Through this Agenda, labor and employment  stakeholders recognizes that inclusive growth will only occur by underscoring the need for decent for all Filipino workers, thereby, achieving the country's Millenium Development Goal on eradicating extreme poverty and hunger by achieving full and productive employment and decent work for all, including women and young people.

     Further, in the introductory chapter, it is said that the Labor and Employment Agenda is anchored on the President's social contract with the Filipino people and inspired by his vision of a transformed, just and righteous Philippines.

     Hon. Secretary Rosalinda Baldoz stayed the whole day to personally supervise the activity which was then divided into workshop groups (workers, employers and Plus organizations) to review, comment and enhance the draft Agenda of March 22, 2011. 

     Tesiorna made significant enhancement to the draft by proposing and to mention some  :

a)  Chapter 3 : Pillar 1 :  Rights At Work 
     a.1  harmonization of national legislations .
     a.2  Adminsitrative Order to strengthen PESO for enterprise development and other interventions for the
            workers in the informal economy
     a.3  proposed that since upscaling of micro-enterprises is placed as one strategy, the  Community Based
            Training for Enterprise Development (CBTED) be  integrated with all DOLE livelihood and
            enterprise development programs/projects.
     a.4  Amendment to Labor Code to strengthen the rights of non-regular workers and WIE workers to
           self-organization and negotiated agreement
     a.5 that the legislation of MACWIE be included under focused reforms in the agenda
     a.6 that the ratification of ILO Convention 177 on Industrial Homeworkers be pursued
     a.7 new Administrative Order to implement DO-18 and DO 5 on Industrial Homework
b) Chapter III:  Pillar 2 :  Employment
    b.1  Review of COA Circular No. 1 to make it effective to non-corporate construction workers to be
           able to bid projects of less than P500,000.00 with the local government
    b.2  Assist local government units in implementing RA 9003 specifically on product development from
           recyclable waste materials

To be continued in the next blog.....  
       

GREAT Women Project : "Kababaihan Iahon sa Kahirapan"

     The GREAT Women Project implemented by the Philippine Commission of Women, added to its list of activities in celebrating International Women's Month (March), the conduct of Talakayan: Kababaihan Iahon sa Kahirapan on March 29, 2011 at the BSWM Convention Hall of the Bureau of Soils, Visayas Road, Quezon City.  The Gender Responsive Economic Actions for the Transformation (GREAT) of Women is supported by the Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA) in provinces such as :  Quezon, Ifugao, Metro Naga Development Council, Bohol, Iloilo, Leyte, Davao del Sur, PPALMA Alliance and 36 municipalities.

     The project's expected result is major changes in mindsets of Phil Commission of Women, National Government Agencies and Local Government Units to :  1)  help women scale up businesses through value- chain development, 2) for NGA's and LGU's to recognize the need to harmonize plans, and 3) for LGU's to increase appreciation of gender-responsiveness in all plans and programs. 

     The Talakayan featured wealth of information from presentation of various agencies such as DTI-BMSMED, DOLE, DWSD, DOST, DAR, PhilHealth, SSS, OPAPP, PCFC on projects and programs that would help entrepreneurship for women and NEDA on the Millenium Development Goals.

     Susanita Tesiorna, President of ALLWIES and Josephine Parilla of PATAMABA and Treasurer of ALLWIES were reactors on social protection, livelihood and enterprise development presentations. The reactions including that of an LGU representative is hoped to improve the implementation of various programs and  projects of the government for socio-economic to help achieve the goal of socio-economic empowerment of women.

    To mention some of Susanita Tesiorna's reaction, she  spoke on the call to have transparent selection criteria for the P500M funds to finance health insurance for the informal sector  under PhilHealth Board Resoultion Nos. 1478 and 1479 passed in the last PPhil Health Board Meeting and recommended that it should be in according to the poorest provinces identified by the National Statistics Coordination Board launched earlier of this year. She also spoke that the problem of lack information, just like other services of the government, is perennial and PHIC should implement one of the provisions in RA 7875 to tap community based organizations like BHW to help disseminate information. Further, she said that information is not enough but educating the communites about the importance of social security until the culture of social security in cultivated in every Filipno home. SSS and OSH related agencie should do likewise.  She also mentioned that in the RA 7857, indigents should graduate into an independent paying member, that the question of when to stop subsidizing was put forward.  

      She also mentioned that it is worth noting that 15 years ago, the advocacy of her organization and partners spoke of lack of social protection, lack of access to productive resources,  and at least on these two major sectoral issues, she can say that since 2005, the cry is towards improved access. There is great hope for Filipinos if all systems work in an integrated approach as the government also went out of their "boxes" to meet the challenge of reality economy..    



Susanita Tesiorna



DSWD Chorale



Dir. Rhodora Leano, Bureau of MSME Development



For  the Agrarian Reform Communities