DOLE-6 regional office has new chief

The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE)-6 Regional Office welcomed Atty. Sixto T. Rodriguez Jr. as OIC-Regional Director effective August 23, 2021.

Rodriguez took over DOLE-6 helm through Administrative Order No. 169-21 issued by Sec. Silvestre H. Bello, III following the retirement of Regional Director Cyril L. Ticao on July 25.

In a virtual welcome program Atty. Rodriguez, committed to an effective and efficient implementation of DOLE programs especially on livelihood.

A leader with special preference for the poor, Rodriguez shared his advocacy of services anchored on social justice.

“Upang magkaroon ng social justice, ang pera at tulong ay dapat nakarating sa tao. We cannot implement social justice if it is not delivered to those who deserve it. Lahat dapat makinabang sa mga programa ng DOLE, lalo na sa poverty alleviation. Ang mga mahihirap nasa labor sector din yan.”

He also emphasized the immediate delivery of services to complement his pro-poor leadership.

“We will fast track the delivery of services. We will implement what should be implemented in the soonest time possible. If needed, we will deviate from the normal course of the proceedings to provide assistance without delay,” he stressed.

A native of Tumauini, Isabela, Atty. Rodriguez completed his elementary and secondary education in his hometown. He earned his Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy and Bachelor of Laws degrees at the University of Sto. Tomas.  He is married to Ma. Rosita M. Rodriguez and were blessed with three children.

Prior to his assignment to Western Visayas, Atty. Rodriguez was assigned as Asst. Regional Director at DOLE Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR). He also served as Asst. Regional Director at the following DOLE Regional Offices: Region XII (July 2020-Feb. 2021), National Capital Region (2018-2020), MIMAROPA (2017-2018), Region II (2012-2017) and as OIC-Regional Director at DOLE Regional Office No. II (2012-2017) and the CAR (2010-2012).

Rising through the ranks, Atty. Rodriguez started as a contractual staff of DOLE-CAR and later got a permanent item of Personnel Officer.  He served as a Labor Information Officer, Labor and Employment Officer II, Hearing Officer for Labor Standards, and then Legal Officer and Resident Ombudsman. He also became a Mediator-Arbiter for the Bureau of Labor Relations (BLR) in Manila, DOLE Regional Office No. II and DOLE-CAR.

Atty. Rodriguez has also attended various trainings, seminars, conferences, and studies on employment, human resource development, industrial relations, management, including actual training on public information.

He was the lone Philippine representative to the Labor Management Training Seminar in Hachioji, Japan in 2004. In 2012, he also served as Chairman of the Labor Sector during the 10^th Japan High Level Officials Meeting on Caring Societies in Tokyo.

Aside from his responsibilities with the Department, Atty. Rodriguez is also a member of the Integrated Bar of the Philippines; President, Resident Ombudsman for Luzon Vanguard Against Corruption (ROLVAC), Office of the Ombudsman; Executive Vice- President for Luzon, National Association of Resident Ombudsman in Government Agencies (AROGA-PHLS); President, MedArbiters’ Association of the Philippines (three consecutive terms); and former Vice-Grandmaster of the Gamma  Delta Epsilon Fraternity (UST exclusive law fraternity)

He is also a Bar reviewer, CPA reviewer on Business Laws, Professor of Law and a professional lecturer.