The Department of Labor and Employment renewed its commitment to reliable, prompt, honest, and efficient service delivery as it celebrated its 92nd anniversary at the Occupational Safety and Health Center Complex in Quezon City on December 8, 2025.
DOLE Secretary Bienvenido E. Laguesma, along with the Department’s senior officials, led the simple gathering held adhering to the administration’s call for judicious and prudent use of government funds during year-end celebrations.
In his speech, Secretary Laguesma reiterated DOLE’s commitment to continuously level up its programs and service delivery and provide seamless service to Filipino workers, in line with President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr.’s directive to bring government services closer to the people.
“…nitong mga nakaraang linggo, lahat po ng ating mga regional offices ay nagsagawa ng mga activities (job fairs, payouts, etc.). Ini-scale down po natin ang ating celebration, pero ni-ramp up po natin, ni-level up po natin ang mga services para po sa ating mga constituencies, partikular po sa mga manggagawa,” Secretary Laguesma said.
(This week, our regional offices have facilitated several initiatives [job fairs, payouts, etc.]. While we have scaled down our ceremonial festivities, we have intensified and enhanced the delivery of services to our constituents, especially the labor sector.)
“Meron din po tayo talagang pagsisikap, na ang atin pong mandato para po sa ating mga kababayan na atin pong maipagkaloob… dapat po matapat, mabilis, maayos, walang bahid, at inklusibo. Iyan po sana ang ating maging panuntunan, pamantayan ng ating ginagawa,” Secretary Laguesma added.
(We also really have the effort, that our mandate for our fellow citizens is something we can provide… it should be honest, fast, proper, spotless, and inclusive. That should be our guideline and standard in what we do.)
Nationwide activities
In celebration of its 92nd anniversary, DOLE, through its regional offices, also held job fairs from November 29 to December 11 in 40 different sites nationwide. The job fairs were organized in coordination with public employment service offices in their respective regions.
The Bureau of Local Employment reported that 1,020 job seekers were hired on the spot for positions such as cashier, service crew, production operator, customer service representative, teacher, and visual inspector, among others.
Over 171,000 beneficiaries of Tulong Panghanapbuhay sa Ating Disadvantaged Workers (TUPAD) received financial aid worth more than PHP 919 million. Additionally, a total of 11,311 individuals received grant worth over PHP 273 million through the DOLE Integrated Livelihood Program (DILP).
Secretary Laguesma also highlighted the vital need to strengthen collaboration with both the labor and management sectors to create an enabling environment for the country’s labor and employment sector.
Aligned with the anniversary theme, “Tatak DOLE sa Bagong Pilipinas: Serbisyong Tapat at Nararapat sa Lahat,” Secretary Laguesma urged the department to adopt a “proactive and forward-looking” mindset to navigate modern challenges in the evolving labor market.END/CBS
