CLARK FREEPORT — The Clark Development Corporation (CDC) and the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) on Friday signed a memorandum of agreement for the renewal of its satellite office in the Freeport.

The agreement aims to enhance the collaboration and the ability to offer meaningful services to Clark locators and stakeholders, as well as to strengthen the partnership between CDC and DOLE.

Under the deal, DOLE shall retain its office space and training room, where it conducts and administers its many functions and services at the “One Stop Shop” located at the Clark Skills and Training Center.

CDC president and CEO attorney Agnes VST Devanadera signed the agreement with Labor.Secretary attorney Bienvenido E. Laguesma, Pampanga Gov. Dennis “Delta” G. Pineda and Pampanga Vice Gov. Lilia “Nanay” Pineda.

“This partnership with DOLE, with the local government, especially with the provincial government, CDC, and the private sector – the business sector, can make a difference. We’re moving forward after the pandemic. We’re moving forward because we are here doing the convergence and doing a whole of government approach,” Devanadera said.

Aside from retaining its office space in Clark, DOLE will also set up a help desk to offer assistance and provide up-to-date information on various government services and initiatives to all facets of employment.

According to Devanadera, there are also plans to expand the DOLE satellite office in Clark as discussed with Laguesma.

“This is a great occasion because there is something that we have to focus on, there is something that we have to strengthen and that is the welfare of our labor force,” she added.

Laguesma expressed optimism for the partnership between CDC and DOLE.

“Today’s signing of the MOA means that this partnership remains strong and that the parties are committed to the vision and mission of President Ferdinand Romualdez Marcos, Jr. to prioritize job creation and accelerate poverty reduction by steering the Philippine economy back on a high-growth path,” he said.

The signing ceremony was held at the Clark Visitor’s Center and was attended by CDC executives and officers, along with other DOLE officials.

In 2018, DOLE forged a partnership with CDC and established on premises of the DOLE Clark Academy as a venue for continuing labor and industry cooperation, wherein it has provided assistance to numerous workers, locators, and clients.

DOLE Region 3 has been awarded for the initiative as the “Most Innovative Office” for its forward-thinking efforts and for bringing its services closer to both employers and the workers.