BAGUIO CITY – In celebration of National Women’s Month, the Department of Agriculture – Cordillera (DA-CAR) conducted a Learning Series on Financial Literacy, Customer Service, and Drug-Free Workplace at Guisad, Baguio City.
The initiative aimed to equip employees, particularly women in the workforce, with crucial knowledge and skills to improve financial management, elevate service standards, and ensure a safe and healthy work environment. The event underscored DA-CAR’s commitment to fostering a knowledgeable, service-driven, and gender-inclusive workplace.
The Financial Literacy session, facilitated by Financial Adviser Jennifer De Leon Asis, emphasized the importance of financial empowerment, particularly for women, in securing their future and achieving economic independence. Participants were guided on personal finance management, including tracking expenses, setting financial goals, and employing the 60-20-20 rule, which allocates income into fixed expenses, savings, and discretionary spending.
Employees, especially women, were encouraged to automate their savings, establish emergency funds amounting to 3-12 months of expenses, and explore investment opportunities such as mutual funds, real estate, and business ventures.
The Customer Service Excellence segment, led by Ana Flor Irenio, Senior Human Resources Specialist from the Civil Service Commission–Cordillera, emphasized the significance of delivering high-quality public service through a culture of professionalism and excellence.
The session highlighted best practices in service delivery, such as understanding customer expectations, soliciting feedback, and refining service processes to enhance efficiency. Women in the workplace were particularly encouraged to take on leadership roles in customer service, using their strengths in communication, empathy, and problem-solving to improve service quality.
Additionally, employees learned effective conflict resolution and complaint management strategies, reinforcing the importance of inclusivity and gender sensitivity in service interactions.
Meanwhile, the Drug-Free Workplace session, conducted by Rosel Sarmiento, Public Information Officer of the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency, detailed the implementation of Dangerous Drugs Board Regulation No. 13, Series of 2018. This regulation mandates strict drug-free workplace policies across government offices to maintain a safe and productive workforce.
The discussion covered essential components such as employee education, supervisor training, and the enforcement of mandatory drug testing. Employees were briefed on different drug testing methods, including urine, saliva, blood, and hair analysis, along with the proper procedures for handling positive test results.
The Learning Series reinforced the role of women in leadership, financial independence, and workplace safety, providing DA-CAR employees with practical and valuable insights. By integrating these essential skills into their professional roles, employees, especially women, are better equipped to serve the agricultural community with efficiency, integrity, and excellence. By Alyssa Dawn Alalag
