DoLE starts inspection of establishments with alien workers
THE DEPARTMENT of Labor and Employment (DoLE) is again doing the rounds of establishments that employ foreign nationals, including Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGOs), starting this month to June 30 to check for compliance with local and national laws. “(T)he labor department has resumed its special inspection of alien-employing establishments by deploying anew over 300 labor inspectors in key areas to inspect and verify the legitimacy of employment of foreign nationals,” DoLE said in a statement on Sunday. During the inspection, labor and employment officers will check the company’s business permit, Securities and Exchange Commission registration, and application for Alien Employment Permits (AEP) to certify them for the hiring of foreign nationals. Foreign employees will also be checked for work permits. DoLE last conducted these inspections last Oct. 31 to Dec. 15. — Gillian M. Cortez
Salceda to file bill on education reform
A LEGISLATOR is filing a bills for a “comprehensive education reform agenda” in response to President Rodrigo R. Duterte’s directive to the Department of Education (DepEd) to study changes to the K to 12 program. “In the coming days, I will be filing the most comprehensive education reform agenda ever introduced in Congress after the People Power Revolt,” Albay Rep. Jose Maria Clemente S. Salceda said in a statement on Friday. Education Secretary Leonor M. Magtolis-Briones recently discussed with Mr. Duterte the results of the Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA), which showed that Filipino students ranked the lowest among 79 countries in reading comprehension, and second to the lowest in math and science. Mr. Salceda’s proposed 10-point agenda for education are: equitable funding for all schools; teacher-supportive, teacher-empowering education system; expanded after-school and remedial education program; universal access to nutrition; expanded school-community relations; “Build, Build, Build” for education; safer schools for students and teachers; empowering special education facilities; Comprehensive Workforce Development; and optional adoption of mother-tongue-based learning. “This country’s most valuable resource, its most productive asset, is the Filipino people. And education is the greatest investment you can make on your people,” he said. — Genshen L. Espedido
