Department Order 56-03

Republic of the Philippines
DEPARTMENT OF LABOR AND EMPLOYMENT

Intramuros, Manila

DEPARTMENT ORDER NO. 56-03
Series of 2003

SECTION 1. Basis. Pursuant to Article 134 of the Labor Code and its
Implementing Rules and Regulations, and in line with the Departments
commitments to the 1995 International Conference on Women in Beijing, the 1999
International Conference on Population and Development Programme of Action, the
Philippine Population Management Program, the Directional Plan for 2002-2004, and
the Philippine Plan for Nutrition 1999-2004, the priorities of the Family Welfare
Program (FWP) are hereby modified.

SECTION 2. New Priorities of the Family Welfare Program. From its original thrust
of promoting family planning, the program will shift its focus to providing family
welfare services to workers. The ten dimensions of the program which will serve as
guide to both labor and management in the implementation of programs and projects
consist of the following:

a) Reproductive Health and Responsible Parenthood;
b) Education/ Gender Equality;
c) Spirituality or Value Formation;
d) Income Generation/Livelihood/Cooperative;
e) Medical Health Care;
f) Nutrition;
g) Environment Protection, Hygiene and Sanitation;
h) Sports and Leisure;
i) Housing; and
j) Transportation.

SECTION 3. Reproductive Health. The Philippines, as signatory to the Programme
of Action of the 1994 International Conference on Population and Development
subscribes to the consensus of broadening population policies and programs beyond
family planning.

Reproductive health shall refer to the state of complete physical, mental and social well-
being and not merely the absence of diseases or infirmity, in all matters relating to the
reproductive system and its functions and processes. Furthermore, Reproductive Health
Care is defined as interventions or services to include, but are not limited to the
following concerns:

RATIONALIZING THE IMPLEMENTATION OF
FAMILY WELFARE PROGRAM (FWP) IN DOLE

a) Family Planning (FP);
b) Maternal and Child Health and Nutrition (MCHN);
c) Prevention and Management of Abortion and its Complications (PMAC);
d) Prevention and Management of Reproductive Tract Infections (RTIs);
e) Education and Counseling on Sexuality and Sexual Health;
f) Breast and Reproductive Tract Cancers and other Gynecological Conditions;
g) Mens Reproductive health;
h) Adolescent and Youth Health;
i) Violence Against Women and Children; and
j) Prevention and Treatment of Infertility and Sexual Dysfunction.

SECTION 4. Major Activities That Can Be Undertaken Under the FWP. The
Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) through the Bureau of Women and
Young Workers (BWYW) and the DOLE Regional Offices as well as establishments
covered by this Department Order shall provide orientation-seminars on the FWP
focusing on reproductive health, gender equality and nutrition. Appropriate
information education and communication (IEC) materials promoting family welfare
concerns shall likewise be developed and provided. The Regional Offices shall facilitate
the organization of Family Welfare Committees (FWCs) in establishments employing
more than 200 workers.

To institutionalize the Program, capability building activities shall be provided for
labor and management leaders, members of Family Welfare Committees, plant clinic
staff (nurses, midwives, doctors), and peer educators.

SECTION 5. Implementing Mechanism. The DOLE, through the Bureau of Women
and Young Workers and the DOLE Regional Offices shall ensure the full implementation
of the Family Welfare Program in partnership with concerned
government agencies, employers groups, workers organizations and the rest of civil
society.

In particular, as program manager, the BWYW shall:

1. Provide the technical supervision and support interventions that will enable the
operating units to attain maximum program targets and objectives.
2. Issue a checklist of existing programs, projects and activities related to FWP
implementation.*

As program implementers, the Regional Offices shall:

1. Coordinate activities with the regional development councils, regional
population coordinating council, or other similar appropriate committee or
groups to create strong linkages and convergence among various stakeholders;
2. Ensure the enforcement of Article 134 of the Labor Code, as amended, as well
as strengthen advocacy in the implementation of the Family Welfare Program;
and

*(Refer to DOLE AO # 209, s. 2004)

3. Provide information and render support services on matters concerning
reproductive health to the Regional Population Coordinating Council or other
appropriate committee or group, which is the regional focal point in
orchestrating and monitoring the implementation of the national population
policy.

SECTION 6. Employers Responsibilities. Establishments employing more than
two hundred (200) workers in any locality shall form a Family Welfare Committee
(FWC) through the assistance of the DOLE Regional Offices. The FWC will be
responsible for planning, organizing and implementing an in-plant family welfare
program. The in-plant program shall focus on the ten dimensions of the FWP.

Employers are likewise urged to provide the necessary support, assistance and resources
to the Family Welfare Committee (FWC) in the conduct of capability building
activities for labor and management leaders, members of the Family Welfare
Committees, plant clinic staff (nurses, midwives, and doctors), and peer educators.

Establishments with less than two hundred (200) workers are encouraged to
establish/organize a Family Welfare Committee and implement a family welfare
program.

SECTION 7. Funding. All DOLE Regional Offices are directed to use the annual
five percent (5%) Gender and Development budget allocation to implement the
Family Welfare Program. The Regional Offices can likewise access to Working
Youth Center Program budget allocation relative to activities concerning adolescent and
youth health.

SECTION 8. Effectivity. This Department Order shall take effect fifteen (15) days
after its publication in two (2) newspapers of general circulation.

PATRICIA A. STO. TOMAS
Secretary

December 11, 2003.

* Published on January 20, 2004, Balita; Manila Standard

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Republic of the Philippines

DEPARTMENT OF LABOR AND EMPLOYMENT

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