DOLE asks firms to put up daycare centers

MANILA, Philippines - Labor Secretary Marianito Roque on Monday urged companies and corporations to set up day care or child care center in their workplaces as part the non-wage benefits for their workers. In a statement posted on DOLE website, Roque said their regional offices, under the family welfare program, is set to intensify their campaign for the establishment of day care centers especially in companies with more women workers. He said this is to help lessen the workers' expenses for early childhood education and ensure the children's safety and health. The DOLE suggestion came even as workers criticized the P20 wage hike ordered by the National Capital Region's wage board, saying that it was a mere pittance compared to the price increases on basic commodities which are being borne daily by workers. But for Roque, the non-wage benefits would help workers cope with pressures brought about by oil price hikes and the consequent rise in prices of goods and services. For employers, he said that childcare facilities would result in sustained efficiency and productivity of workers who would no longer be saddled by family and economic pressures in looking after the welfare and safety of their young children while they are at work. He added that employers also gain tax incentives under Republic Act 8980 or "An Act Promulgating a Comprehensive Policy and a National System for Early Child Care and Development, Providing Funds Therefore and For Other Purposes," which provides that the operating costs of employer or corporate-based day care centers can be deducted from taxable income provided the employer or corporation will not charge user fees. President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo earlier instructed the DOLE and Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) to assist companies especially those with many women workers in the setting up of day care facilities following her visit to several firms last month. Roque said the President had asked the employers of the firms she visited to put up day care facilities for their women workers. He said at least 20 large firms have expressed readiness to establish day care facilities in their workplaces. Among these firms are the Texas Instruments in Baguio City; Smart Shirt at Clark Freeport Economic Zone in Pampanga; Philippine Packing Corp. in Bugo, Cagayan de Oro City; Domingo Teng Fishing, Inc. in General Santos City; and the Bataan Export Processing Zone in Bataan. While the firms which already have an operational day care facilities are the Philex Mining Corp. and Lepanto Mining Corp. in Benguet, Unilever Phils. in Manila, and Central Azucarera Don Pedro in Batangas as well as the Tahanang Walang Hagdan in Rizal. Firms with lactating facilities, on the other hand, include the PAPTI, MNTEC, and Mitsuwa at the Cavite Export Processing Zone in Cavite; JAE Phils. At the Gateway Business Park in Gen. Trias, Cavite; and the Liwayway Marketing in Imus, Cavite. Roque lauded the firms for their sensitivity to the immediate need of their workers for facilities that look after their young children while they are at work. He also commended the Casilayan Softwood Corp. in Agusan del Sur, Pacific Cement Phils. in Surigao City, and Cagdianao Mining Corp. in Surigao del Norte for extending their social responsibility not only to their employees but also to the community by adopting a day care center in their communities. Roque said, according to the report of Director Chona Mantilla of DOLE-Caraga, the three firms provide for the needed supplies and the honoraria of volunteers tending the day care centers. In setting up childcare facilities, Roque said employers may put up day care facilities at the plant level, link up with community-based day care centers, or establish a common facility for the needed services for their workers. - GMANews.TV