BONTOC, Mountain Province – Mountain Province (MP) joined the whole country in celebrating the 122nd Labor Day at the Provincial Plaza on May 1, 2024.
The celebration carried the theme, “Sa Bagong Pilipinas: Manggagawa ng Pilipino, Kabalikat at Kasama sa Pag-asenso.”
In celebration of the holiday, a job fair and the Kadiwa ng Pangulo were held at the Multi-Purpose Hall and Multi-Purpose Ground, respectively. The ribbon-cutting for both activities was led by Governor Bonifacio C. Lacwasan, Jr., together with Vice Governor Francis O. Tauli, Political Affairs Officer II Dionisio K. Wacdisen, representing Congressman Maximo Y. Dalog, Jr., Board Member Ezra Samson A. Gomez, Bontoc Mayor Jerome B. Tudlong, Jr. , Sabangan Mayor Marcial V. Lawilao, Jr., Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA)- MP Provincial Director Melita D. Panic, Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) – MP Provincial Head George G. Lubin, Jr., Northland Technical Institute Head Winifred G. Cue and Rolando B. Bragado, the Officer-in-Charge to the Office of the Provincial Agriculturist.
Another significant undertakings that made the celebration more meaningful were the ceremonial payout of wages under the Tulong Pangkabuhayan para sa Disadvantaged/Displaced (TUPAD) Program and the Government Internship Program and the awarding of training support from TESDA and cheques from the Senator Risa Hontiveros, DOLEand the Provincial Government.
A cheque amounting to P2,574,730 was awarded to the municipality of Sabangan. The amount came from DOLE and was used to fund a total of 57 various individual projects in the said municipality.
Another cheque from DOLE in the amount of P1,545,933 was also awarded to the central municipality of Bontoc. From the total amount, P824,533 was used to fund 31 individual projects while P294,360 was given to 10 parents of child laborers, and the remaining P427,100 was given to the Maligcong Farmers and Irrigation Association.
“On behalf of the people and officialdom of Bontoc, I extend our gratitude to the Office of Congressman Maximo Dalog, Jr., the Provincial Government of Mountain Province led by Governor Bonifacio Lacwasan, Jr., the DOLE, TESDA, and other partner stakeholders for continuously assisting various organizations, self employed, seasonal workers, and minimum wage earners in Bontoc and capacitating them to generate income,” Mayor Tudlong said in gratitude.
Moreover, a third check amounting to P3,124,654 was awarded by the DOLE to the Provincial Government from which P1,879,860 was used as wages to 388 TUPAD workers and the remaining P1,244,794 was used as livelihood assistance to 14 rebel returnees, 5 probationers/parolees, 28 other individuals.
A cash-for-work payout for 10 interns enrolled under the DOLE’s GIP and 425 TUPAD workers was also held during the celebration. The wages of GIP interns in the amount of P55,900 came from DOLE. For the 425 TUPAD workers, a total amount of P2,281,150 was alloted for their wages from which P1,360,950 came from DOLE while P920,200 came from Senator Risa Hontiveros.
Meanwhile, the province’s top officials and other speakers gave messages to further underline the significance of Labor Day.
In their messages, Governor Lacwasan and Vice Governor Tauli said that Labor Day is marked as a special day to give recognition to all the hard works of all laborers and their significance to society.
“We are gathered here today to celebrate a significant day; the 2024 Labor Day celebration. Momentous because it is the only day of the year earmarked for our nation to give tribute to the Labor Sector of our Society. Today, the labor sector of our society comes in different parameters which should be treated fairly and justly to compensate their tireless efforts and sacrifice as workers,” Lacwasan said.
“We come together to celebrate the day for the hardworking women and men who empowered our communities through their labor. It is only through concerted labor and painful efforts, by grim energy and resolute courage that we move forward,” Tauli added.
Moreover, Political Affairs Officer Wacdisen stated that “labor is the foundation of the province’s commerce that fuels the economy and enables the government to develop social services.”
Furthermore, Provincial Director relayed DOLE Secretary Bienvenido E. Laguesma’s message saying, ” ang mahalagang araw na ito ay nagpapaalala sa atin na sa pamamagitan ng pagkakaisa at pagtutulungan, ating mabibigyang katuparan and mga pangarap at mithiin ng mga manggagawang Pilipino at kanilang pamilya.” By MP Press Release
