The Philippine Online Chronicles

The Diamond Lecture Series conducted by the Department of Labor and Employment as part of their 75^th anniversary continued September 3 at the Liceo de Cagayan University, following the theme 'Balik-Tanaw, Bagong Pananaw.' The accompanying job fair took place at the cultural center of the university simultaneous with the lecture.

Students from various colleges and universities in Cagayan de Oro were invited to the event. Representatives from government institutions, companies and labor unions were also in attendance.

Prepared for reality

This lecture, sixth in a series of seven talks, focused on “The Filipino Migrant Worker” with Dr. Alan Macaraya, the Regional Director of DOLE-X, giving the welcoming remarks. Dr. Macaraya was speaking in behalf of Mayor Constantino Jaraula, who was not able to attend the event due to prior commitments.

DOLE Assistant Secretary Reydeluz Conferido followed with a message summarizing DOLE's policies and its future endeavors. He explained that the department would want to engage actors, students, the academe and private sectors in the discussion of labor policies and employment issues. He particularly addressed the message to the students in attendance. “They have to be prepared for the realities and eventualities of the world of work,” he told them. “In this challenging times, the youth should not, must not, could not be not a part of the call to action,” said Conferido.

What is your future?

It was then followed by a message of support from the president of the Liceo de Cagayan University, Dr. Mariano Lerin. He thanked the DOLE for holding the 6^th leg of the lecture series in their university and for giving an opportunity to students from Cagayan de Oro to become more equipped in the world of work.

The day's keynote speaker was Mr. Crispin Aranda, an immigrant advocate and the director of Immigrant Visa Center. He is also the host of the first visa program on Philippine television, Amerika, Atbp.

Azucena, who begun his lecture with the question “What color is your future?”, discussed the many opportunities that await Filipinos when they venture in the world of work, not only in the Philippines but also in foreign countries. He repeatedly emphasized the demand for Filipino workers in different countries.

Underscoring the importance of Filipino workers in the progress of other countries in the world, Azucena said, “All the countries in the world would not be able to function well without Filipinos because Filipinos are conquering the world, one immigrant at a time.”

Azucena also emphasized the demand for Filipino workers in foreign countries as well as the need of aspiring migrants to prepare themselves for the challenges of living in a place with a different culture. He ended his talk with a presentation of currencies from different countries, supplementing his first question: “What color is your future?”

Asec. Conferido led the panel discussion at the end of the morning session, fielding most of the questions from students about the idea of migrating to another country and how it affects the work ethics of aspiring workers. Joining him on the panel were representatives from the management, academe and labor sectors; Dr. Fe Juarez, Executive Vice President of Capitol University; Dr. Teresita Tumapon, Vice President for Academic Affairs of the Liceo de Cagayan University; and Mr. Nicandro Borja of the ALU-TUCP.

The afternoon session was devoted to career talks aimed at graduating students and aspiring migrant workers.

These included 'Anti-Illegal Recruitment and Pre-Orientation Seminar' with Mr. Cabrera of the POEA; 'PRC Licensure Examination System' with Ms. Floriza Tan; 'The Young Filipino Entrepreneur: Fuel for Growth, Driver of Employment' with Director Alicia Euseña of the Department of Trade and Industry, Region X; and 'How to Top Your First 90 Days at Work!' with Mr. Arsenio Sebastian.

Photo taken by Jordianne Hernandez for Vibal Foundation. Licensed under Creative Commons.