Labor Secretary Francis Tolentino launched the first weekly flag ceremony of his tenure at the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) on Monday, June 1, announcing that the Monday ritual will be opened to labor sector voices.
Tolentino said this includes Kamanggagawa Partylist Rep. Eli San Fernando, workers’ federations, and DOLE management representatives—in a rotating format designed to give each stakeholder a platform.
Tolentino had earlier announced on DZRH News program “Special on Saturday” on May 30 that he intended to restore the weekly Monday flag ceremony at DOLE, saying it had been reduced to once a month before he assumed office.
“Sa susunod na Lunes, ang gusto kong magsalita rito si Congressman Eli San Fernando. Pakinggan po natin siya, 15 minutes,” Tolentino said, adding that the sequence will rotate between labor groups, management, and the department itself on a continuing basis.
“Kung ano ang haba ng sinasabi ko, ganoon din siya. Susunod na Lunes, NLRC. Tapos susunod na Lunes, TUCP. Susunod na Lunes, ito na kina Director Herbosa. Susunod na Lunes, Management naman. Susunod na Lunes, opisina uni dito sa atin. Susunod na Lunes, kung mayroong pederasyon ng mga kasambahay, and so on and so forth,” he added.
The newly sworn-in Labor chief said the flag ceremony should not be treated as a mere bureaucratic requirement but as a weekly renewal of commitment to Filipino workers.
“We need to get their voices heard as well in a flag ceremony, because a flag ceremony is not just a weekly ritual, but a renewal and commitment of what we should do as government servants,” Tolentino said.
“We are here not just to raise the flag, but to renew our commitment to raise the dignity of the Filipino workers,” he added.
Tolentino explained that the format is meant to ensure that the voices of those DOLE serves are heard within the department’s own walls.
He also used the occasion to affirm his commitment to leaving the department in a better position than he found it, drawing on his experience leading Tagaytay City and the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority.
“Sisiguraduhin ko po na ‘pag wala na rito si Tol, hindi lang po lobby ninyo ang mas maganda, kundi ang imahe at ang kapakanan ng bawat kawani ng Department of Labor and Employment,” he said.
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