Sta. Ana, Cagayan — RTWPB – II , in partnership with the Public Employment Service Office (PESO) of the Local Government Unit of Sta. Ana, Cagayan, successfully conducted the “Hired & Inspired: Jumpstarting Productivity through Effective Onboarding of New Employees” training together with “Usapang 2Ps: Pasahod and Productivity” on 21 April 2026, in the municipality of Sta. Ana, Cagayan. The activity was attended by representatives from 37 firms operating within the municipality, reflecting strong local participation and support for initiatives that promote productivity and compliance with labor standards.

The capacity‑building activity aimed to enhance participants’ understanding of onboarding and its benefits, including improved employee performance, engagement, and retention. It also sought to guide enterprises in developing, implementing, and measuring effective onboarding processes. As a major output, participants prepared their enterprise‑level action plans, where they designed onboarding programs responsive to the needs of their respective organizations.

One of the highlights of the activity was the active and dynamic Question and Answer session, where participants openly raised workplace concerns and sought guidance on labor‑related issues. During this segment, Atty. Lovely Mei R. Dela Cruz, OIC Board Secretary of RTWPB – II, addressed several questions, including those on the importance of employment contracts. She explained that a clear and well‑defined employment contract establishes the terms and conditions of employment such as job functions, compensation, benefits, and working hours. Atty. Dela Cruz also emphasized that proper employment contracts help prevent misunderstandings, reduce potential labor disputes, and promote transparency and fair treatment in the workplace, contributing to sound labor‑management relations.

Earlier in the program, Atty. Dela Cruz provided the orientation on Usapang 2Ps: Pasahod and Productivity, underscoring the relationship between fair wage practices and sustained productivity growth. Meanwhile, Ms. Teresita Alejo, Senior Labor and Employment Officer, facilitated the Hired & Inspired training, where she presented practical and step‑by‑step approaches to onboarding that support both employees’ adjustment and organizational performance.

Through the collaborative efforts of RTWPB-II and PESO‑Sta. Ana, the activity fostered meaningful discussions, experience sharing, and hands‑on planning among participants. RTWPB-II and the LGU of Sta. Ana, through its PESO, expressed confidence that the onboarding plans crafted during the training will be implemented by participating firms, contributing to more productive, compliant, and worker‑friendly workplaces in the municipality of Sta. Ana, Cagayan. (Francis Joseph M. Reyes)