In line with the celebration of the 124th National Labor Day, the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) VI – Iloilo Field Office (IFO) welcomed 40 informal sector workers to a comprehensive series of learning sessions held on May 1, 2026 at Robinsons Mall Iloilo-Main, Iloilo City.

The activity, with participation of the Regional Tripartite Wages and Productivity Board-VI (RTWPB-VI), gathered members from various informal sector associations across Iloilo Province for a day of capacity-building and awareness.

RTWPB-VI facilitated interactive orientations on two of its flagship programs:

Productivity 101: A foundational course designed to equip informal workers with practical strategies to enhance their output, efficiency, and business competitiveness

ISTIV Values: A values formation program emphasizing work ethics of a productive worker as guiding principles for professional growth

These sessions aim to transform the informal sector into a more progressive, efficient, and productive component of Iloilo’s local economy.

In addition to productivity training, participants were oriented on essential government social protection programs:

• PhilHealth: PHILHEALTH YAKAP: Yaman ng Kalusugan Program)
• Social Security System (SSS): AlkanSSSya Program

Both agencies actively recruited participants to avail of their various programs, ensuring informal workers understand their eligibility for lifelong social security benefits.

In her welcome message, DOLE VI IFO Provincial Head Dr. Arlyn E. Siaotong highlighted the critical role informal sector workers play in Iloilo Province’s economic landscape and how these learning sessions will further enhance their productivity, fostering a more progressive and efficient sector while increasing awareness of their rights and privileges.

Her message underscored the government’s commitment to recognizing, empowering, and protecting the informal workforce that forms the backbone of local commerce.

The 2026 Labor Day celebration marks DOLE VI’s continued effort to extend labor protections and capacity-building opportunities beyond traditional employment settings. By targeting the informal sector, often underserved by standard labor programs, the agency addresses a growing demographic of Philippine workers who operate outside formal employment structures.

With 40 active participants from across Iloilo Province, the event demonstrated strong demand for skills development and social protection awareness, setting a positive precedent for future RTWPB-VI initiatives. (Marc Maio P. Judicpa)