ISABELA CITY, Basilan May 9 (PIA) - The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) in Isabela City successfully spearheaded a multi-sectoral Walk-a-thon for Industrial Peace Year IV on May 6, which is in line with the 115th Labor Day Celebration 2017. Some 250 participants from the private, government, and people's organization convened at the Plaza Rizal to kick-off the festivities honoring the country's labor force.

In the interest of maintaining balance work life, One ZUMBA was carried out and followed by the community boodle fight, that symbolizes one and common desire to maintain harmony and industrial peace in this part of the peninsula.

The event was co-organized and participated in by the Tripartite Industrial Peace Council, members and partner-stakeholders who contributed in providing and measuring quality services to people and instrumental in providing job opportunities.

During the program, Mayor Al-Qaid J. Akbar, in his message delivered by PESO manager Rosella Luna, assured the commitment of the city government to continuously uplift the labor and management's working perspective and demeanor, as well as to promote healthy working relationships among them.

On the other hand, Engr. Wesley Tan, labor chief delivered the message of Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello III to all Filipino workers which focused on the need for unity and solidarity to attain change. He said that DOLE in partnership with the LGU is solid in promoting the welfare of the workers in the informal economy and underscored the importance of helping them transition from informal to formal economy.

Meanwhile, part of the said activity was the turn-over of DOLE Kabuhayan Starter Kits on carpentry, masonry, dressmaking, cooking, baking and gardening. The project beneficiaries were skilled workers who were starting their own small business, but lack the appropriate tools and equipment.

Another highlight of the event was the Search for "Talentadong Workers." The DOLE-TIPC Talentadong Workers version refers to talented employees in different government and private establishments in Isabela City. Exhibiting the spirit of a healthy competition, it serves as an opportunity for the workers to showcase their distinct talents.

There were 13 individuals and one youth group-the OSY-MYDev, representative participated in the said competition. The winners received cash prizes and other contestants received consolation prizes. Groceries were also raffled off to lucky participants.

The celebration also included the oath-taking of the newly organized and expanded city's Tripartite Industrial Peace Council (TIPC) administered by City Councilor Alan Richie V. Biel. The council as a developmental partner will serve as continuing forum for tripartite advisement and consultation in encouraging reforms in the government, empowering workers and employees' organization and enhancing their respective rights in attaining industrial peace and improving productivity.

Due to the contributions of both workers and employees, DOLE commended the TIPC officers and members for their contribution to the event and awarded them with Certificates of Recognition. Capping the celebration and as a gesture of corporate responsibility, the TIPC members raffled variety of grocery items to the satisfaction of the participants and stakeholders.

A Cocowayan Job fair was also conducted by the PESO Isabela City last April 21 as part of its 16th Founding Anniversary of the city and Balik Eskwela Diskwento Caravan with Department of Trade and Industry on May 16 completing the labor month celebration as enshrined in this year's central theme of Trabaho, Negosyo at Kabuhayan Tungo sa Progresibong Pagbabago.

(ALT/RVC/PIA9-Basilan with reports from Nilda Delos Reyes and Marlyn Anoos, DOLE)