LABOR Secretary Silvestre Bello III has reorganized the agencies and offices of the Department of Labor and Employment.
Through Administrative Order No. 41, Bello conducted the reclustering of the Department’s services to effectively implement its programs and render efficient public service.
“We have to do this for greater efficiency, cost-effectiveness and consistency in policy and program implementation to better serve the needs of the workers and immediately respond to their issues and concerns,” he said in a statement.
The order designated Undersecretary Joel Maglunsod as the head of Labor Relations and Special Concerns Cluster, who will supervise the policy and programs operations of Bureau of Labor Relations, Bureau of Working Conditions, Bureau of Workers with Special Concerns and National Conciliation and Mediation Board.
He will be supported by Assistant Secretary Ma. Gloria Tango in overseeing the bureaus and in reviewing orders arising from the conciliation and mediation cases that need immediate action by the DoLE chief.
On the other hand, Undersecretary Ciriaco Lagunzad III will lead the Workers Welfare and Protection, Human Resources, and Financial Services Cluster.
He will oversee the policy program coordination of the Overseas Workers’ Welfare Administration, Employees’ Compensation Commission, and Occupational Safety and Health Center.
Lagunzad will be supported by Assistant Secretary Amuerfina Reyes, as they will be also tasked to look after the DoLE’s human resources and financial affairs as well as to handle or take charge of the department’s internal auditing services.
Undersecretary Dominador Say will be leading the Employment and Policy Support Cluster, with the support of Assistant Secretary Alex Avila.
He will supervise the Bureau of Local Employment, Institute of Labor and Studies and Philippine Overseas Employment Administration.
They will be performing the cluster function, including the supervision of the Planning Service and Information and Publication Service.
Avila will also assist all the cluster heads in the discharge of their functions relative to the formulation of plans and policies, and should ensure policy coherence to the eight-point labor and employment agenda.
The Human Capital Development and Regional Operations Cluster will be headed by Undersecretary Bernard Olalia, his responsibilities include policy and program coordination of the Professional Regulation Commission, National Wages and Productivity Commission and National Maritime Polytechnic.
He will be supported by Assistant Secretary Federico Abuan Jr., in overseeing the cluster, including the supervision of DoLE Regional Offices.
The Legal, Legislative and International Affairs cluster of Dole will be handled by Undersecretary Claro Arellano with Assistant Secretary Ma. Joji Aragon.
They will be responsible for the policy and program coordination of the National Labor Relations Commission as well as the operations of International Labor Affairs Bureau, including all Philippine Overseas Labor Offices as well as in supervising the Legal Service, Department Legislative Liason Office and the International Labor Affairs Bureau.
Moreover, Assistant Secretary Mariano Alquiza will support Arellano on the general works/services, infrastructure or building concerns and other related services.
On the other hand, the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (Tesda), by virtue of Office of the President Executive Order No.1, series of 2016, is transferred under the supervision of the Office of the Cabinet Secretary.
However, per Republic Act No. 7796 or the TESDA Act of 1994, the labor secretary will remain the chairperson of the Tesda Board.