On 22 January 2025, the Chinese Filipino Business Club, Inc. (CFBCI) successfully facilitated an Open Forum with the officials of the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) at Century Park Hotel, Malate, Manila. Undersecretary Benjo Santos M. Benavidez, along with three representatives from various bureaus of DOLE, delved deeper into DOLE’s initiatives to increase the employability of Filipino youth, assist Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) in growing their businesses, and how employers can be of assistance in achieving these goals.

Hosted by Atty. Kesterson T. Kua, the forum began with a solemn opening prayer led by Rev. Fr. Peterson Tieng, Rector of the Archdiocesan Shrine of St. Joseph which was followed by the singing of the Philippine National Anthem. To formally open the forum, President Samuel Lee Uy gave some welcome remarks emphasizing the utmost support of CFBCI in DOLE’s initiatives to empower Filipinos by providing gainful employment opportunities and resources.

Afterwards, the three representatives from DOLE each gave an insightful presentation on the flagship programs of their respective bureaus. Ms. Maria Bernadette Agna, Senior Labor & Employment Officer of the DOLE-Bureau of Workers with Special Concerns talked about the DOLE Integrated Livelihood Program. Engr. Melanie Banayos, Supervising Labor & Employment Officer of the DOLE-Bureau of Working Conditions discussed the details of technical and advisory visits of DOLE to local MSMEs. Lastly, Mr. Jorge Manuel Laude, OIC-Chief of DOLE-Program Management Division explained how the business sector can partner with DOLE-Bureau of Local Employment to strengthen youth employability.

The forum was graced with the attendance of at least 120 attendees comprising of the officers and members of CFBCI and individuals from various organizations in the Filipino-Chinese (Tsinoy) community, political and business leaders, young entrepreneurs, scholars, and the media.

Following the series of discussions by DOLE, Usec. Benavidez arrived and immediately delivered the written message of Sec. Bienvenido E. Laguesma. In his message, the Secretary commended CFBCI for organizing such an invaluable platform to share DOLE’s programs to the trade and industry sector. He also expressed DOLE’s gratitude for the continued efforts of CFBCI officials and members to provide quality jobs to Filipinos and highlighted CFBCI’s role as a “partner” of DOLE in nation-building.

Then, the question-and-answer session was moderated by Atty. Kua, and Usec. Benavidez along with the three representatives from DOLE addressed the concerns of the attendees, providing substantial responses to relevant labor and employment questions.

Nearing towards the end of the forum, a Plaque of Appreciation from CFBCI for Sec. Laguesma was received by Usec. Benavidez who also received a Certificate of Appreciation from the organization. Finally, Vice President Paul Yeung gave some closing remarks relaying the gratitude of CFBCI to all who participated in the forum. Everyone was delighted to converse with DOLE and seek expert advice that will help them in managing their businesses. Definitely, CFBCI will continue to organize projects that aim to strengthen the relationship between government agencies and the trade and industry sector. (Prior to this forum, CFBCI has organized an open forum with the Department of Finance featuring its former Secretary, Hon. Benjamin E. Diokno.)

菲華工商總會訊：本會於一月廿二日（星期三）下午四時，假馬尼拉市世紀公園酒店宴會廳，邀請菲律濱勞工部次長貝納維德斯（Undersecretary Benjo Santos Benavidez）及三位屬下部門首長舉辦公開論壇，深入探討如何提高青年就業能力及援助微小中型企業(MSMEs)發展等議題，共約一百二十餘位政商名流、商會代表、青年企業家、媒體朋友與本會同仁出席，場面盛大。

活動由本會常務理事柯偉順律師擔任主持人，首先請馬尼拉總教區聖若瑟朝聖堂陳垂楓神父帶領所有與會人士祈禱，奏菲律濱國歌後，拉開序幕。本會理事長黃書瑋致歡迎詞時，強調了本會全力支持勞工部透過提供酬金的就業機會和資源，增強菲律濱人權的企劃。

隨後，勞工與就業部的三位首長，也分別向大家介紹各自業務、職掌及各項計劃：第一位，勞工特殊問題局資深勞工與就業主管亞克瑪（Maria Bernadette Agna）介紹了勞動與就業部的綜合生計方案；第二位，勞工工作條件局勞工就業主任巴納佑斯工程師（Engr. Melanie Banayos）討論了勞工部對當地中小微型企業進行技術和諮詢訪問的相關細節；第三位，專案管理處處長佬德（Jorge Manuel Laude）闡述商業部門如何與勞工部屬下就業部門合作，以增強青年就業能力。

勞工部次長貝納維德斯在會中代為宣讀部長拉藝斯馬（Secretary Bienvenido Laguesma）的致詞稿，部長首先讚揚本會舉辦了這樣一個寶貴的平台，讓勞工部有機會向工商界人士分享該部的各項計劃。他同時感謝本會領導同仁為菲律濱人提供優質工作機會所做的不懈努力，並指出，本會作為勞工部在國家建設方面的 「合作夥伴 」，扮演著非常重要的角色。

緊接著進行問答環節，現場接受與會者提出對勞工與就業規定的相關疑問，由次長貝納維德斯及勞工部屬下三個單位首長詳細解答。在問答環節結束後，本會領導頒贈感謝狀予部長拉藝斯馬及次長貝納維德斯，和勞工部三位首長，並集體合影留念。

最後由本會副理事長楊良田致謝詞，感謝大家在百忙中撥冗出席此次公開論壇，並且表示，本會日後將繼續與菲政府相關部門合作，舉辦貿易和工業等相關論壇，以促進工商界和政府相關部門的關係。活動於下午六時圓滿結束。出席者紛紛表示很高興能與勞工部進行深入交流，尋求建言，這將有助於他們管理屬下企業。

圖片說明：
上小圖：（左起）理事長黃書瑋，勞工部次長貝納維德斯，執行副理事長曾國強，副理事長楊良田，陳垂楓神父，柯偉順律師。
中圖一：（左圖）頒贈感謝狀予勞工部次長（左起）副理事長林天德，副理事長楊良田，理事長黃書瑋，勞工部次長貝納維德斯，執行副理事長曾國強，副理事長蔡金東。（右圖）頒贈感謝狀予專案管理處處長佬德（Jorge Manuel Laude）。
中圖二：（左圖）頒贈感謝狀予勞工特殊問題局資深勞工與就業主管亞克瑪（Maria Bernadette Agna）。（右圖）頒贈感謝狀予勞工工作條件局勞工就業主任巴納佑斯工程師（Engr. Melanie Banayos）。
下圖：出席者集體合影留念。