Laguesma to reach out to underserved workers

CEBU, Philippines —  The new secretary of the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) vows to reach out more to underserved workers.

Secretary Bienvenido Laguesma vowed to make the labor department a “more responsible and responsive institution that reaches out to needy workers, especially those in rural and far-urban areas.”

“I would like to see DOLE become more conscientious and committed to delivering services, especially to those with limited knowledge and access to DOLE,”    Laguesma said in a statement.

Laguesma, who was also DOLE Secretary during the Estrada administration, received the DOLE flag and transition documents from former Labor Secretary Silvestre H. Bello III symbolizing the former’s acceptance of the duties and responsibilities of being DOLE’s steward for the next six years.

Bello welcomed the new labor secretary and expressed his confidence that DOLE is in good hands under Laguesma’s competent and honorable leadership.

“You are warmly welcome into the department that you had faithfully served for over 25 years. Your fresh mandate to steer the DOLE once more signifies the continuity of the noble initiatives that we have undertaken for the Filipino workers and the people,” Bello said.

Bello also urged the support and cooperation of all partners and allies to ensure continuity of service to DOLE’s clientele under the new administration.

Laguesma started his public service career as a mediator-arbiter at the Office of the Labor Secretary in 1976.

Since then, he had held several executive positions in the department, such as administrator, executive director, and undersecretary. — FPL (FREEMAN)