NEW Labor Secretary Bienvenido Laguesma is hitting the ground running as he pushes for a service and action driven Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) under his watch.
Speaking at the formal turnover ceremony at the DOLE Main Office in Intramuros, Laguesma said Friday, July 1, that he is looking forward to immediately making the agency more responsive to the needs of both the workers and employers sectors.
"It is my dream to make this agency action-driven, approachable, and accountable. What I want is to see that DOLE becomes responsible, responsive, and reaching out to its constituents," said Laguesma.
"We also want to continue its being driven to services, especially for those in need and have no access to government services," he added.
On Friday, outgoing Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello III formally turned over the DOLE flag and transition documents to Laguesma in a private ceremony attended by the senior officials, as well as rank-and-file employees.
To kick off his stint at the DOLE helm, Laguesma bared that he immediately met with all DOLE regional officials.
He said he has also held consultative meetings with representatives of the labor sector.
Laguesma said he is set to meet with the employers sector next week to know their concerns.
To note, Laguesma started his public service career as a mediator-arbiter at the Office of the Secretary -Department of Labor (now DOLE) in 1976.
Since then, he had held several executive positions in the DOLE, including administrator, executive director, and undersecretary.
He first served as DOLE secretary during the Estrada administration from 1998 to 2001.
Laguesma was appointed as DOLE secretary anew by President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. (HDT/SunStar Philippines)