BICOL Labor

The Official Newsletter of DOLE-V (Bicol)

cized and secluded by society. Case records of Sorsogon PPO disclosed that the feeling of ‘hopelessness’ and ‘helplessness’ in dealing with daily life, after being released from prison, is the main reason why ex-convicts re-commit crimes. DOLE-Bicol’s intervention will be the backbone in realizing the full correction and re-integration of the convicts to the community as it will give instant hope in reclaiming their lost lives and livelihood.

“DOLE may be their first and only hope. Being an ex-con is very difficult. My driver before is an ex-con and nobody, not even my wife, wanted to hire him. She said that it is difficult to trust a criminal. But I

Ex-Con… from page 7 wanted to give him a chance in life so I still hired him. Well up to this date me and my wife have proven that he is the most trustworthy person we have ever met in our entire life. Now, he drives his own jeep but never fail to drop by our house to say thank you because of that one chance I have given him” Lacambra added.

After the grant of the tools, the ex-convicts, signed a contract with the PPO stating that they will use and take ‘extra care’ of the tools and equipment they received from DOLE. They will also have report to the PPO the status and sales of their business every 3-months and give PPO an access to inspect their businesses anytime. The contract also stipulates that the PPO can reposes

the tools if the ex-cons were not able to meet the provisions of the contract or if it was found out that the tools were not used or worse was sold or leased out by the ex-convicts to other individuals.

DOLE Sorsogon Field Offi-cer Imelda Escape-Romanillos reminded the beneficiaries that not all were given the chance to receive such grant. “Since this is the first group, then it is our dream to see all of you succeed and be the idol of the succeeding batch”

The Chief Probation and Parolee Officer (CPPO) Luvisminda R. Codia is positive that the pioneer group will succeed. “Ayan po ha, lahat na ng pwe-deng maitulong namen binigay na sainyo. Pati

yung DOLE andito na at gagawin pang regular itong pagtulong na ito. May mga gamit na kayo pati training meron na sa madaling salita nandyan na lahat. Sa lahat ng ito, isa lang ang masasabi ko, tamad na lang ang ma-gugutum” she added.

DOLE-Bicol said that they are looking to the possibil-ity of replicating the activ-ity to the entire region if the results are positive. “I think that this is a very good project. Yun bang tipo na mabibigyan naten yung mga taong talagang nangangailangan at sa tingin ko wala ng iba pang mas nangangailangan ng ganitong tulong kundi silang naghahangad ng pangalawang tsansa sa buhay. Let us help them stand up again or better yet let us help them be reborn.” Lacambra ended.

health officers, practitio-ners, engineers and aspir-ing safety practitioner from different construction firms in the region. DOLE and ASPI Bicol intensified its campaign which now re-quires companies, espe-cially construction firms, to have at least one (1) ac-credited safety practioner in a construction site. A safety practioner must complete a number of safety and health training in order to be accredited.

“Usually they should start with the basic training then advance into a more spe-cific training depending on the industry.” DOLE-Bicol Regional Director Nathaniel V. Lacambra said.

The participants were trained on the basic safety and health procedures particularly on the DOs and DONTs in machine handling and operation and the proper use of personal protective equipments (PPEs) such as the hard hat and steel toe boots which is commonly violated by per-sonnel in the construction sites.

“The construction industry has the highest risk factor in terms of employee acci-dents resulting to physical injuries. The main reason why this has become our focus in advocacy.” DOLE-Bicol Asst. Reg. Dir. Ex-equiel Ronnie A. Guzman stressed.

DOLE, ASPI, and OSHNET Bicol has joined forces to beef up the safety and health campaign in the region. One of its the ban-ner program is the Hard Hat Area Campaign which is an information and advocacy program aimed at orienting workers of the basic safety rules in order to lessen accidents in the construc-tion industry. Part of the campaign is the giving of free hard hats. This cam-paign was said to be the one of the reason for the decrease in the number of accidents in the construc-tion industry over the past years. The safety and health program of the DOLE-Bicol is handled by the TSSD designated focal person Engr. Roberto “Bob” Aranas.– fin.

Some sixty (60) sturdy and top of the line construction hard hats were given by DOLE & ASPI Bicol as safety gear to boost the Construction Industry Safety and Health Cam-paign in the region.

This was after, DOLE-Bicol in cooperation with the Association of Safety Practi-tioners Inc. (ASPI), recently concluded the Construction Safety & Health Training on Feb. 7-11 at Kanzo Hall Restaurant here which is the first round of a series of seminars scheduled on 2012 as part of the group’s Hard Hat Area (safety) Campaign.

The training was attended by fifty eight (58) safety and

Hard Hats Given By DOLE-ASPI Bicol as part of Safety Campaign

Page 8 Vol . 9 Issue 1

STOP Human Traficking, Child Labor & Illegal Recruitment Call Hotline 1343

A New Wage Order May Be Up

In Bicol The long wait is perhaps over. Bicolano workers may have yet another reason to

be hopeful as the Regional Tripartite Wages & Productivity Board of Region 5 had concluded its public hearing on the minimum wage issue last Feb.3 at the Ibalong Conference Hall, City Hall Compund in Legaspi City. The public hearing was set to ventilate the respective positions of all affected parties on the wage issue. This was triggered by the petition for wage increase filed last year by the Alliance of Progressive Labor clamoring for the restoration of the lost purchasing power of workers in Region 5 and strict implementation of wage orders. This may be a prel-ude to the issuance of a new wage order in the Region in the light of the continuing increases in the prices of fuel which consequently triggered the escalation in the prices of basic commodities thereby affecting the purchasing power of the workers. Besides, the last wage order RBV-14 had already reached its anniversary date last November 2011. Some 43 representatives from the employers' sector and about 27 rep-resentatives from the workers' sector attended the said hearing. According to DOLE Region 5 Regional Director and Chairman of RTWPB-5 Nathaniel V. Lacambra, who presided the public hearing, "The public hearing is the most appropriate occasion to discuss and air all positions, views, comments and suggestions regarding the wage issue. The result of the public hearing will serve as input to the Board in crafting a win-win policy decision on the wage issue." He

Jan-Mar 2012

Vol ume 9 , I ss ue 1

“Obrerong Bicolano, Oragun Ka”

B I C O L

A B O R L Department of Labor and Employment- Regional Office No. V (Bicol)

Bicol’s Tri-Media Welcomes New DOLE Leadership at “Kapehan Sa Embaradero” DOLE-Bicol’s 1st presscon was FREE. This was due to the strong pubic-private partnership by DOLE with Embar-cadero De Legazpi, the premiere tourist attraction in Albay which hosted the “Kapehan sa Embarcadero” on 21 February at Tapa King Embarcadero. Eight (8) radio, two (2) TV stations & three (3) print media outlets at-tended the activity which lasted from 7-10am. RD Nat & ARD Quiel suffered sore-throats after being flocked with continuous interviews for 3-hour free broadcast airtime. See the photo story at the center fold (pages 4-5)

go to page 2— “tears rolled...”

What’s INSIDE? Lacambra-Guzman Tan-dems………………..... 4-5

Ex-Convicts in Sorsogon is REBORN…………...…7

DOLE-Bicol Assures

Security of Tenure to

Contractual Workers

Legazpi City- Contractual workers in the region has no more reason to be afraid on losing their jobs prematurely or by being desperately in-timidated and saddened due to the completion of their contract of employment. This, was after DOLE-Bicol assured contractual workers here of ‘security of tenure’, in their jobs, - a law which was strongly specified under Department Order No. 18-A (D.O. 18-A) during the ori-

From right, DOLE-V RD & RTWPB Chairman Nathaniel V. Lacambra, DTI-V RD Jocelyn O.

Blanco, and NEDA ARD Rico Banua

Tenure … p3

Page 2 Volume 9 Issue 1

encouraged those who attended the public hear-ing to study intelligently the economic data and information presented by the NEDA, NSCB AND DTI so that they will be guided accordingly re-garding their assessment of the economic condi-tion prevailing in the Region." Ms. Aldefa Alcala of Alto Pawnshop which is con-sidered one of the biggest local chain of pawn-shop in the Region, said that after a careful analy-sis of the prevailing socio-economic condition obtaining in the Region, the management sector which she represents "recognizes the need for a wage increase in order to alleviate the plight of the workers but as to how much, that they can-not decide yet because employers have also dif-ferent capacities to pay depending on the profit-ability of their respective businesses." Mr. Fernando D. Turiano of the Alliance for Pro-gressive Labor, who represents the workers em-phasized that "the workers are not clamoring for a wage increase but only for a restoration of their lost purchasing power in the amount of P59 per day and strict enforcement of wage orders". This, he said will compensate for the lost value in the real wages of workers due to the continuing de-valuation of the peso brought about by the in-creasing prices of basic goods and services." DOLE Reg. 5 Assistant Regional Director Exequiel Ronie A. Guzman said that employers and work-ers must cooperate an work together in improv-ing the productivity and competitiveness of their enterprise. With increased productivity and prof-itability, the net take home pay of workers will also increase either through monetary or non-monetary incentives by means of productivity gain-sharing mechanism." The RTWPB of Region 5 is a tripartite body com-posed of the Government sector which is repre-sented by the DOLE Regional Director as Chair-man, the Regional Directors of NEDA and DTI as Vice-Chairmen and two (2) representatives from the Workers' and Employers' Sectors. The Secre-

tariat is headed by Board Secretary VI Rosendo D. Belo. The Board has given all interested parties until February 17 to submit their respective positions and views on the wage issue. Afterwhich, it shall convene to deliberate and decide on the wage issue within 45 days after the conduct of the last public hearing. The clamor for a wage hike started after the anniversary date of the latest Wage Order RBV-14 on November last year but due to the effect of natural calamities, the same was temporarily deferred. At present, the highest prevailing daily minimum wage is P247 while the lowest is P205 depending on employment size. If a new wage order is issued, this will take ef-fect 15 days after its official publication. - fin.

Inset, RD Lacambra is counting “last 2-minutes” of the sectoral dialogue between labor & mgt who joined the

public hearing. In far left is RTWPB Board Sec. Rosendo D. Belo while Secretariat Eduardo Caño looks on.

New Wage Order… from page 1

P.8M Livelihood Fund Set By DOLE-Bicol

A total of P854,436.95 fund grant is set for release by DOLE-Bicol this first quarter of the year to jump start the livelihood program of the Department.

The grant, DOLE-Bicol Reg. Dir. Nathaniel V. Lacam-bra said, is only the beginning of the various liveli-hood programs of the office which is said to be amounting to some P13M for the entire year.

“We want to start early in helping Bicolanos cope up. More livelihood opportunities means more jobs and

.8M … p6

BICOL Labor Page 7

put to good use” Lacambra added.

The 10 ex-con beneficiaries were given tools in-line with their skills or their previous jobs and profession. The tools will be used to put-up their own small business which will be their source of livelihood. With a suited livelihood, the beneficiaries, need not find a job thereby saving them from experiencing the fear of rejection and depression which the PPO said is one of the main reason why ex-cons recommit crimes. The 10-beneficiaries were:

1. Rose Red Pamaloy- a beauti-cian receiving a steamer ceramic iron;

2. Roberto Francisco who re-ceived a sewing machine and will invest in sandal making;

3. Eugenio Canal, Jr. a certified aluminum & glass fabricator and was given a meter tape, screwdriver set, electric drill and a backpack;

4. Jordan Flores who received a complete set of carpentry and ma-

Sorsogon City- Reborn. This is what the ex-convicts, parolees and proba-tioners of Sorsogon City felt after receiving a ‘new life’ or what they call the “first real help” from PNOY’s administration thru DOLE-Bicol’s Kabuhayan Starter Kit (DK-SK) liveli-hood program locally known here as “Trabaho Sa Bag” Program.

“Grabe po talaga ang pasasalamat ko sa DOLE dahil pagkatapos ko pong lumaya e sinubukan kong ma-masukan sa trabaho pero pagnalala-man po na ex-con ako e walang gustong tumanggap. Gusto ko pong magbagong buhay ngunit tila ba wala ni isa mang nais magbukas ng pinto para sakin… Tao din po kame na nagkamali, nagsisisi at gustong bumangon. Kayo lang po ang nagbi-gay sakin ng bagong pag-asa. Sana ipagpatuloy ng DOLE ang progra-mang ganito.” said Eugenio Canal, Jr., who was imprisoned after orga-nizing a “monti” in which as per Section 1 of PD 1602 is considered to be an illegal numbers game. He was released on probation on May 16, 2011 and since then was having a hard time coping up with life.

An assortment of hand tools, machin-eries and equipment totaling to some P65,000.00 was given by DOLE Sorsogon Provincial Field Office (PFO Sorsogon) in partnership with the Sorsogon City/Province Parole and Probation Office (Sorsogon PPO) to ten (10) parolees and probationers, or generally called by society as “ex-convict” or “ex-con”, in mid-morning of March 6 at the Bulwagan ng Kata-rungan Building here. The event, said to be the first ever collaboration of the executive and judiciary branch of the government in the region, was personally graced by DOLE Bicol Reg. Dir. Nathaniel V. Lacambra, Jr. “While we provided the funding and materials, the PPO on the other hand will provide a simple business train-ing plus the regular monitoring and assessment of the beneficiaries to ensure that the tools given will be

sonry tools;

5. Crispin Mangampo also receiv-ing the same set of carpentry and masonry tools;

6. Jerry E. Hila a mason who received a set of masonry tools;

7. Arne Jao who only needed an additional electric grinder, planer, wood saw and hammer;

8. Raul Estigoy a self-made plumber now having a complete set of taraha and llavetubo;

9. Alman B. Segundo a painter given a compressor and spatula; and Rolly Quinatana a cellphone techni-cian awarded with a tester, solder-ing lead, electronic screwdriver set, soldering gun, cellphone cable set and a sturdy backpack

The joint project was forged after DOLE-Bicol realized the concrete and positive impact of its DK-SK program to ‘ex-convicts’ who are often feared, criti-

Ex-Con Gets New Life From DOLE-Bicol’s Trabaho sa Bag Program

“Everybody deserves a second chance in life” This was the mes-sage of RD Nat Lacambra during the awarding of the “Trabaho Sa Bag” DK-SK to 10 ex-convicts of Sorsogon

Ex-Con...p8

Page 6 Volume 9 Issue 1

the 5 months- 5 months con-tract will be addressed by the provision of the new DOLE D.O. Ms. Mona Catoria, 37-years old and a management representa-tive of Elkan Konstrak Develop-ment Corporation (ELKAN), a well-known construction firm in Albay, said that the new law is actually “OK” but the P25,000.00 registration fee may not be acceptable specially to small contractors/sub-contractors. Infra Builders rep-resented by “Ms. Ira” (not her real name) of Daraga, Albay and “Ms. Lanie” (also not her real name) of AVIC Construction shares the same comment. “Wala naman problema dun sa security of tenure at compliance namin sa labor standards. Ang parang nakakagulat lang eh yung registration na P25k kasi dati P100 lang tapos ngayon ang taas na at yung requirement na dapat ay di bababa sa P3M and paid-up capitalization. Sa amin malalaking estalishments ay ayos lang e pano yung mga maliliit at nag uumpisa pa la-mang? Kung ang layunin natin ay mag-generate ng employ-ment, di ang mga maliliit na sub-contractors/contractors ay di na mabibigyan ng pagkakataon na lumago” DOLE-Bicol however said they will take note of all the concerns raised by the participants. With the unanimous concerns, the participants have agreed to or-ganize an Industry Tripartite Council (ITC) after the orienta-tion in order to come up with

their written position on DO18-A. “Our advise to the small contrac-tors/sub-contractors if they can-not comply with the P3M paid-up capitalization, then they can form a merger.” DOLE RD La-cambra said. DOLE-Bicol has scheduled an-other orientation on DO 18-A on March for the members of the Tri-Media under its DOLE and Me-dia Alliance (DAMA Bicol) Pro-gram. “The tri-media is our part-ner in information dissemina-tion. We need their help in letting the public know this new devel-opments on labor laws.” Lacam-bra remarked. – fin.

member that aside from the scenic places, tourists are more often attracted to the services and the attitude of the people they interact with in a place.” Guzman added. The VCGP will also have a checklist of compliance in which the owners will have to assess their performance on a quarterly basis to determine whether or not there is an improvement on their services and in the compli-ance of labor laws. DOLE-Bicol Asst. Reg. Dir. Ex-equiel Ronnie Guzman is for-merly the Board Secretary of RTWPB-I. His is an expert in wage determination and in pro-ductivity programs. His work involves the development of a VCGP in Dagupan City which has become a benchmark in produc-tivity nationwide. –fin.

tenure...from page 3

Lacambra-Guzman….from page 6

improved quality of work life for Bicol.” Lacambra added. The amount is lumped under the DK-Starter Kit (DK-SK) or the fa-mous “Trabaho sa Bag” program. This is the giving of tools and pieces of equipment to able and skilled individuals in order for them to start their own business. The massive awarding of the DK-SK is a strategy designed by DOLE-Bicol to augment the deficit in industry based employment opportunities in the region. Bicol is a highly agricultural region wherein the main source of income depends on cultivation of crops and agricul-tural products which is frequently ravaged by natural calamities. “Since Bicol is a small region and employment opportunities in the formal sector are scarce, then we must find a way to give a livelihood to the people. If they can’t till their lands because of natural calami-ties, then perhaps we can come up with something else that will pro-vide them alternative employment like the DK-SK” Lacambra stressed. The DK-SK distribution will start in February 23 at the Municipality of Polangui, Albay with P333,025.64 grant followed by Province of Sor-sogon with the Probationers and Parolees as beneficiaries with P64,056.10 grant then the Sang-guniang Bayan of Dayangdang, Naga City with P213, 602.54 and the WLFSLRMPC of Daet, Camari-nes Norte with P243, 252.67 grant. DOLE-Bicol Asst. Reg. Dir. Exequiel Ronnie A. Guzman said that the grant will be a good start for Bicol in its campaign to boost livelihood and employment opportunities in the region this 2012. – fin.

P.8M Fund Set….from page 2

BICOL Labor Page 3

entation seminar held on Febru-ary 22 at the Kanzo Hall and Restaurant. “While we are assuring our con-tractual workers to worry no more, we are also soliciting the cooperation and support of all the construction and service contractors and sub-contractors in the region to abide by the new law which is the main rea-son why we called for this orien-tation-seminar” DOLE Bicol Re-gional Director Nathaniel V. La-cambra said. The DO 18-A seminar, attended by 137 management represen-tatives and owners of establish-ments engaged in contracting and sub-contracting from all over the region, focused in ori-enting and educating the partici-pants on the pertinent provi-sions of the law such as: security of tenure of contractual workers,

compliance to basic labor laws compliance to registra-

tion and permits issuance by DOLE. “This new law has given us (DOLE) more power to regu-late the practice of job contract-ing and strictly prohibiting labor-only contracting.” Lacambra added. DO 18-A or “The Guidelines in Labor Contracting and Sub-Contracting” was issued by La-bor Secretary Rosalinda Di-mipilis-Baldoz sometime in No-vember last year and will be implemented this year. The new law is designed to address the issue on contractualization which undermines the security of tenure of contractual workers. The new DO also addresses the issue of Labor Only Contracting (LOC) and fly-by-night establish-ments that are contracting ser-vices without sufficient capital thereby sacrificing their worker’s security of tenure and labor standards benefit.

tenure...from page 1

EDITORIAL BOARD Consultants NATHANIEL V. LACAMBRA Regional Director EXEQUIEL RONNIE A. GUZMAN Assistant Regional Director JOSE B. BANDA TSSD Chief

Editor/Writer RAYMOND P. ESCALANTE Information Officer III Circulation ALMA V. CORBE Records Officer III RODRIGO S. ALCOY Messenger

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MAKINIG KAYO

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Radyo Veritas Legazpi also live at DCTV Channel 8

“Ikaw at ang DOLE”

Thursday 8:30—9:30am DWAS AM & 1-Radio Tabaco

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DZRC AM

Under DO 18-A, contractual workers cannot be terminated without due cause and after due process and shall enjoy all the benefits and privileges accorded to a regular employee. Mean-while, establishments or compa-nies listed as principals, or those engaging the services of a con-tractor, must justify to DOLE that the work to be done by the con-tractor are not necessary and desirable to the business of the company. During the orientation, partici-pants coming from small estab-lishments, had reacted on the considerable increase in permits fee and capitalization require-ments. The new DO, according to DOLE Asst. Reg. Dir. Exequiel Ronnie A. Guzman will provide safety net protection to the workers by ensuring that con-tractors/sub-contractors are legitimate and have substantial capitalization. DOLE-Bicol also emphasized that

Tenure … p6

Legazpi City- New year, new hope, new bosses – but same public thrust. This is what to be expected from DOLE-Bicol as pronounced by incoming Regional Director Atty. Nathaniel V. Lacambra and Asst. Reg. Dir. Exequiel A. Guzman, yes-

terday, during the turn-over cere-mony at the DOLE-building here. “The workload is still the same. The vision is still the same. Pro-vide Bicolanos with decent paying jobs, help workers to be more productive and cultivate more livelihood programs. This is the core principle of the DOLE and by

all means we shall do it here, in Bicol, but with innovations of course.” RD Lacambra said after accepting the ceremonial key of leadership from outgo-ing OIC-RD Alvin M. Vil-lamor.

No wor-ries. Bicolano workers need not worry on the recent leader-ship transition but rather

should be ‘more hope-ful’ since the new lead-ership has brought with them a wide range of both administrative and technical experiences on the field of liveli-

Page 4 Volume 9 Issue 1

Lacambra-Guzman Tandems For A New DOLEhood, employment, labor relations and productivity improvement pro-grams. “Munyan pa sana tabe masisiguro na kan DOLE ang suporta mi sa lado kan media para mas mapa asenso an Bicol. (The DOLE is as-sured of the support of the media for economic prosperity of the re-gion).” Nelson Bulalacao, veteran anchor man of Magik Siram FM said over a radio interview. In the first formal meeting of DOLE-Bicol, Lacambra ordered to immedi-ately convene the 8-member agen-cies of the DOLE Regional Coordi-nating Council (DOLE-RCC) to lay-down and integrate all programs on livelihood, productivity and employ-ment for a simpler yet collaborative

effort. As chairman of the Regional Tripartie Wages and Productivity Board (RTWPB) he also declared to

fast track the long awaited resolu-tion of the wage issue in order to address the petition for wage increase filed by the labor sector. (see separate story). “The DOLE RCC must move as one family.

Like a broomstick, if we bond to-gether we can accomplish more rather than doing it alone” he added. DOLE-Bicol Regional Director Atty.

Nathaniel V. Lacambra is from Poblacion, San Esteban, Ilocos Sur. Before Bicol, he was as-

At age 26, RD Nat Lacambra was the youngest Division Chief. Later, he came to be the youngest Regional Director in the entire Department while ARD Quiel Guzman authored the renowned Voluntary Code of Good Practices for ITC Hotels & Restaurant Industry which has

been a benchmark nationwide.

Present were reporters from Magik Siram FM, Bombo Radyo, DZGB, DZRC, Radyo Veritas, PBN-TV 6, ABS-CBN, DWRL, DWZR, 1-Radio Tabaco, NBN and DWRB

RD Nat & ARD Quiel with officials from Embarcadero after the 3-hr presscon.

BICOL Labor Page 5

Guzman Tandems For A New DOLE-Bicol signed as Labor Attache in Lebanon and as Regional Di-rector of DOLE-RO3. In RO3, he was popularized in wittingly subduing the labor and safety issues of Hanjin which even climbed to the level of the Congress and Senate hearings. He also holds the record of being the youngest Divi-sion Chief at age 28, youngest Asst. Reg. Director at 31and youngest Regional Director at age 43. A re-cord that up to now is still unsur-passed in the entire Department. Meanwhile, ARD Exequiel Ronnie A. Guzman is focusing promoting productivity by organizing more Industry Tripartite Councils (ITC) and the crafting of a Voluntary Code of Good Practices (VCGP) in the hotel and restaurant sector which is con-

tributing to the growth of the re-gional economy. “With the current pace of tourism here plus the fast-paced construc-tion of the Daraga International Airport, I believe the hotel and res-taurant sector which is a main in-dustry associated with tourism will boost the region’s economy. As we can see, in Bicol, tourism and em-ployment are co-relational.” ARD Guzman said. The establishment of an ITC or, more so, a crafting of a voluntary code of good practices in the Hotel and Restaurant Sector will not

only become a tool in pro-moting compliance to la-bor standards but will also help in improving the qual-ity of services and business results. The VCGP, De Guzman said, will have a com-ponent that will train owners

and workers on basic labor laws, social benefits like SSS, Philhealth and Pag-Ibig, Drug Prevention on the Workplace,

Occu-

pational Safety, Sexual Harassment and more particularly productivity and Labor Management Coopera-tion. “Helping this industry to improve their workers relation and their cus-tomer service is just like inviting tourists to come here. Re-

RD Nat Lacambra, Sorsogon FO Imelda Romanillos, NCST Presi-dent Emerson Atanacio & NCST Admin. Director Ericson Atanacio sits before the Provincial PESO Federation of Sorsoson to clarify issues on the allege NCST mass recruitment in the province. Below, RD Nat was welcomed, upon entry, at the Estenias College, Casiguran Sorsogon which hosted the meet-Lacambra….p6

The women and ‘we-men’ of DOLE-Bicol posed for pics with RD Nat & ARD Quiel before the start of the 2-km walk from the Satelite Market to Albay Astrodome on Macrh 8, 2012

Buddies. RD Nat Lacambra (with cap), ARD Quiel Guzman, with pilot “Abdul”, walks with the ‘women and we-men’ of DOLE-Bicol during the Women’s Month Celebration

At age 26, RD Nat Lacambra was the youngest Division Chief. Later, he came to be the youngest Regional Director in the entire Department while ARD Quiel Guzman authored the renowned Voluntary Code of Good Practices for ITC Hotels & Restaurant Industry which has

been a benchmark nationwide.