DOLE-Zanorte, in collaboration with Philippine Ports Authority, St. Vincent's College and the Regional Tripartite Wages and Productivity Board, has recently conducted Workers' Organization Development Program Cum Capacity-Building Seminar participated in by members of two major workers' groups in Zamboanga del Norte namely; Pulauan Alliance Labor Union (PALU) and the Skycap Airport Porters Association (SAPA).

The PPA Building in Pulauan Port, Dapitan City served as the venue for the 2-day activity which ran from December 12-13, 2014. Among others, the activity aimed at increasing awareness and sensibility among porter-participants on gender and development especially considering that they are regularly dealing with people from various sectors of society.

Leading the battery of resource speakers is Ms. Sylvia B. Sumondong who is a licensed Guidance Counselor and a considered expert in the field of Gender and Development Program. She is serving as the PESO Manager of St. Vincent's College and concurrently the President of Guidance Counselors' Network (GCNet) in Zamboanga del Norte. Her track record as an active partner of DOLE Regional Office 9 is beyond cavil.

PALU members are employed with Prudential Customs Brokerage Services, Inc. based in Pulauan Port, San Vicente, Dapitan City which is one of those recently honored with Certificates of Compliance both in General Labor Standards and Occupational Safety and Health Standards conferred by the Department of Labor and Employment.

The activity also served as a platform for participants and partner-organizations and other stakeholders in the local tourism industry to exchange views, ideas and best practices on issues affecting porterage operation as a vital part in the tourism chain of services.

The event was graced by DOLE Regional Director Sisinio B. Cano who opined in a quoted statement that the thrust of the Department has been to ensure that all establishments engaged in tourism-related activities are not only compliant with labor laws but also gender-sensitive as they take care of their clients thereby enabling them to contribute to the country's growth and development.

Cyrus P. Tingcang, LEO III