Last 21^st February 2021, the Northern Mindanao Centre of the Workers’ Watch Project has established its first Workers’ Watch Formation at San Nicolas, Don Carlos, Bukidnon.

28 individuals, including workers of Davao Agriventures Corporation (DAVCO), community leaders of San Nicolas, youth leaders, and barangay health workers, instituted their first Workers’ Watch Formation. Women in the community and their children were also present during the establishment following the necessary health protocols in conducting meetings. The Formation will be the forefront in defending their rights as labourers when, for an instance, labour violations within their community persist.

Prior to the launch of the formation, several meetings and discussions about the project were held in the community. Kolokabildos or social dialogues with the workers and community leaders of Don Carlos, as part of the activities of the project, made the importance of the formation of the Workers’ Watch to be realized by the community. Hence, the formation was finally established.

The San Nicolas’ Workers’ Watch Formation was legalized and banded with Constitution and By-Laws as their fundamental principles. As stated to their constitution Article 1 (Name and Purpose), the formation shall be named as Workers’ Watch Don Carlos Chapter with a purpose of helping workers’ communities respond effectively and sustainably to human rights and labor rights situation in the area. It aims to capacitate its members in extending legal, psychosocial, and health services to its beneficiaries.

The formation has also elected their first set of officers which Mr. Vladimier Gulmatico was elected as the Chairman, Mr. Romeo Galera as Vice-Chairman, Ms. Aida Destacamento as Secretary General, and Ms. Lorena Aboy as their Finance Officer.

“With this formation, it is only now that we encounter such project that extends such assistance and services to our community” Mr. Vladimier Gulmatico, the chairman of the newly established workers’ watch formation, said.

In the past weeks, the Workers’ Watch Project executives had visited its different centers in Mindanao to consolidate its area coordinators regarding the progress of their regional actions for the implementation of the program. As local community quarantine has been eased, they have also had courtesy meetings with the Regional and Provincial Directors of the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE). Last September 1, the Project Manager of WWP- Ms. May Ann Artil, the executive Director of the Nonoy Librado Development Foundation- Ms. Emma Ricaforte, and with the Area Coordinator of Northern Mindanao Center had a chance to talk with Region 10 DOLE Director Atty. Joffrey Suyao on the possible coordination of the said project. Director Suyao had a positive response to the project. He also gave suggestions on how the project will be implemented in the said region.

Also last September 18 and 22, the WWP executives paid a visit to its centers in SOCCKSARGEN and Davao de Oro. They also met the Provincial Director of DOLE Davo de Oro Neil Allan Baban and Region 12 DOLE Director Raymundo Agravante. The meeting with the DOLE directors ended with positive coordination on the implementation of the project. The launching of all planned activities in the different area centers was postponed due to the COVID19 pandemic scare. It is expected that the full launch of the program will be conducted in 2021. 

NLDFI staff members and members of Nagkahiusang Kababayen-ang Mamumuo sa Sumifru (NKMS) joined the 109th Anniversary of commemorating the International Working Women’s Day.

NLDFI is one of the advocates of gender mainstreaming and equality and to end contractualization in the working place.