ChanRobles Virtual law Library

This web page features the full text of
Department Order No. 7 (Series of 2001).
Guidelines for the Operation of Quick Response Teams (DOLE QRT Response Balik Trabaho).

THE CHAN ROBLES VIRTUAL LAW LIBRARY - QUICK GLANCE

Philippines| Worldwide|The Business Page

In the interest of the service, a Quick Response Team (QRT) is hereby created each Regional Office of the DOLE. The operation of each QRT shall be in accordance with the following guidelines:chanroblesvirtuallawlibrary

I. QRT Objectives

The formation of QRTs is a strategy to monitor industry closures and retrenchment due to the adverse effects of globalization and economic crises, and to provide immediate and integrated package of assistance to displaced workers including their dependents. Such package of assistance shall include existing DOLE programs, including:chanroblesvirtuallawlibrary

1. Delivery of employment services such as job matching and referrals, employment guidance and counseling, skills re-training and upgrading and livelihood/entrepreneurship development;

2. Assistance to workers in obtaining their separation benefits and in making informed choices on re-employment options; and

3. Emergency employment and other forms of subsidy to marginalized and less competitive displaced workers and their dependents including out-of-school, out-of-work youth;

II. QRT Composition

Each Regional QRT is composed of the following:chanroblesvirtuallawlibrary

QRT Leader : Regional Director
Members : DOLE Regional Coordinating Committee
(TESDA, POEA, NCMB, NLRC)
PESO Managers
Labor and Employer Representatives
(may be members of Regional TIPCs)

The QRT shall also assign area-based team members that would immediately provide work-site validation and first line of assistance to displaced workers.

III. QRT Service Delivery

1. QRT Signals. A QRT response is triggered by reports of potential closures/retrenchments from any of the following:chanroblesvirtuallawlibrary

· 30 -day Termination Report
· Report of employers or unions, including local TIPCs, as committed in various social accords/agreements
· As indicated in the DOLE Inspection Report
· A request for dialogue of workers and employers
· Worker's complaints
· Non-payments of mandatory remittances of the establishment
· Calamities and disasters

· Profiling of Workers
· On-site Registration and Needs Assessment
· Employment Guidance and Counseling
· Facilitation of Payment of Separation Pay

· Employment Facilitation for the wage employment, local and overseas, using available facilities (Phil-Jobnet, jobs fair and referral)
· Information and certification for SSS Loan Availment
· Skills Retraining or Upgrading
· Referral to other DOLE programs
· Referral of qualified displaced workers to other government and non-government organizations for technical and financial assistance for livelihood or self-employment

IV. Proposals for Assistance Projects

As much as possible, the assistance to displaced workers shall be covered by the DOLE regular programs and therefore, funded under the General Appropriations Act. However, where resources are inadequate and/or other forms of assistance are necessary other than those that can be covered by the Regional QRTs along the objectives set forth in this Order and to be funded under the DOLE budget line item that may be approved in the future.

Project proposals will be evaluated based on a given set of criteria. If the project proposal will be under the regular program but to be funded out of the special fund for the displaced workers, then the proposal shall be evaluated based on the guidelines and criteria of the regular program. If the proposal is a special project and to be evaluated based on the guidelines and criteria set and processed following the procedures under the DOLE Adjustment Measures Program (DOLE-AMP).

V. DOLE Central Office Focal Person And Secretariat

The assistant Secretary for External Affairs shall serve as the DOLE Central Office Focal Person for the QRT operations who shall oversee the operation and monitoring of the Regional QRT activities and projects implemented. The Focal Person shall likewise ensure that all Regional QRTs are adequately trained concerning framework of operation and monitoring system of QRTs. The Focal Person shall be responsible in the submission of regular reports to the Secretary, through the Undersecretary for the Employment.

The Bureau of Local Employment shall provide technical secretariat support.

VI. Repealing Clause

The DOLE comprehensive Program Package for the Displaced Workers (Department Order No. 6, s. 1997), and the High-Level Composite Team created as the quick reaction team (Administrative Order No. 265) and other related issuances inconsistent herewith are hereby repealed. The Secretariat shall ensure the effective transition of these programs.

All existing QRTs created prior to the issuance of Order shall operate under the framework and procedures set in these guidelines.

VII. Effectivity

This Order shall take effect immediately.