All eyes at the DOLE front would be focused to the 71st anniversary celebration of the Department of Labor and Employment which started with the “Meet the Press” and preceded by the regular salvo of the Express it at the Park held every Saturday at the Leyte Park Hotel. On hand to express their profound greetings to the queue of DOLE bigwig were Massey Grafil, publisher of the Leyte Samar Daily Express, Wilson Chan, general manager of the Leyte Park Hotel and a host of active media practitioners of Eastern Visayas who attended the press conference.

Composing the forum of DOLE officials were Assistant Regional Director Crispin Dannug Jr., Director Juan Sabulao of the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (Tesda) who was represented by his assistant; Director Noriel Devanadera of the National Maritime Polytechnic; Executive Arbiter Jesselito Latoja of the National Labor Relations Commission; Director Juanito Geonzon of the National Conciliation Mediation Board; Director Evangeline Filamor of the Office of the Workers Welfare Administration; OIC Rose Jervoso of the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration and Director Florencio Aguilos Jr. of the Regional Tripartite Wage and Productivity Board.

Reginal Director Forter Puguon failed to attend the press conference because he was in Manila attending a oppressing mater related to- his office.

Included in the anniversary program were the ecumenical prayers offered by Pastor Dennis Travieza, Pastor Johnny Opeña and Rev. Fr. William Lapatan, SVD. According to Assistant Regional Director Dannug, the 71 st anniversary celebration of the Department of Labor and Employment this year’s anniversary would focus on the participation of children are principal participants to emphasize the role of children on the strengthening of labor as a key factor to-wards the development of working children.

Selected street and working children would conduct an intermission number followed by a message from Geralyn Macasabuag and gift-giving and “salu-salo” with participating children.

The highlight of the DOLE 71st anniversary celebration is the holding of the DOLE Regional Coordinating Council Family Day Tuesday, December 7, with programs to be staged at the Leyte Provincial Gymnasium in Senator Enage St., Capitol site, Tacloban City.

To invigorate the involvement of children in the DOLE 71 st Anniversary, the Hatid Saya Outreach Program for children and child Laborers would be marked with a shindig sponsored by DOLE.

Awarding of certificates of recognition to partners of DOLE member agencies and DOLE RCC members would likewise be conducted with head of DOLE branches in attendance to share highlight to the occasion. Director Noriel Devanadera would deliver the inspirational massage with the closing remarks to be given by TESDA Director Juan Sabulao. Emcees are Marlos Saboren and Atty. Mater Calibugan.