FWANO Strengthens Family Welfare Through Summit

The Family Welfare Association of Negros Occidental (FWANO), in partnership with the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) Region 6 through its Negros Occidental Field Office, successfully hosted the Family Welfare Summit on November 28, 2024, at L’Fisher Hotel in Bacolod City. The event brought together 113 Family Welfare practitioners from various establishments across the province.

Aligned with DOLE’s advocacy to enhance workers’ quality of life through the ten dimensions of welfare, the summit adopted the theme, “Building Resilient Families: Coping with Change and Adversity.” The event emphasized resilience among families and workplaces in adapting to the rapid social, economic, and environmental changes of the modern era.

Key Sessions

The summit featured a series of impactful sessions addressing critical family and workplace issues.

Atty. Rhodora Penaroyo-Lo from the University of St. La Salle led a session titled “Managing Privacy in the Age of Sharing,” which delved into the complexities of privacy in the digital era. She emphasized the importance of safeguarding personal information and highlighted the legal implications of sharing sensitive data online. Participants gained valuable insights into protecting their privacy in an increasingly connected world.

Another session, “Productivity,” was presented by Mr. Ryan Lobaton of the Regional Tripartite Wages and Productivity Board (RTWPB). Lobaton focused on strategies to boost workplace efficiency while maintaining a healthy work-life balance. The discussion underscored the dual benefits of enhanced productivity for employees and improved well-being for their families.

Dr. Rosalie Deocampo of the Bacolod City Health Office led the session “Safe Workplace = Healthy Family,” exploring the link between workplace safety and family health. She stressed the importance of fostering mental, physical, and emotional well-being, both in professional environments and at home, to create a holistic sense of safety and support.

Program and Success Stories

The summit also introduced the DOLE Adjustment Measures Program, which provides financial assistance and other forms of support to businesses and workers impacted by economic challenges. The initiative aims to ensure stability while maintaining employee welfare.

Success stories from organizations such as Negros Women for Tomorrow Foundation, Vallacar Transit, and Panasiatic Call Centers showcased effective integration of family welfare initiatives. These case studies demonstrated the positive impact of prioritizing employee and family well-being on productivity and organizational success.

The event concluded with the election and oath-taking of new FWANO officers, who are tasked with advancing family welfare programs throughout the province. Their leadership is expected to sustain and expand initiatives that foster resilience among workers and their families.

Regional Director Atty. Sixto T. Rodriguez Jr. commended the summit’s success, emphasizing its role in providing valuable insights, strengthening collaboration, and reaffirming the commitment to building resilient families and workplaces.

“Our partnership forged during this event will drive the mission of enhancing family welfare in Negros Occidental, ensuring a brighter, more sustainable future for employees and their families across the province,” Rodriguez said.