SENATOR Imee Marcos lauds the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) for coming out with Department Order (DO) no. 237 or the revised implementing rules and regulations (IRR) of Republic Act (RA) No. 11165, otherwise known as “Telecommuting Act”, which polishes work-from-home arrangements (WFH) or alternative work arrangements.

Marcos, during the confirmation hearing on the ad interim appointment of Bienvenido Laguesma as Labor Secretary of the Commission on Appointment’s (CA) Committee on Labor on Tuesday, September 20, 2022, said the department order was issued right after last week’s meeting of the powerful body.

Marcos agreed that the employer and employee should “agree upon the terms and conditions” of telecommuting or WFH arrangement.

Laguesma told Marcos the telecommuting arrangement between the two parties is voluntary and that both employees and employers should agree on the terms and conditions of the arrangement.

Laguesma also said WFH could be the “new normal” and that the revised IRR tries to reduce friction points between the employees and the employers.

“We all know that this is a ‘new normal’. We understand that this is a work in progress and that we are working towards a mandatory regulatory framework,” Marcos explained during the hearing.

Meanwhile, Sen. Francis Tolentino, during the CA plenary session, expressed his support for the confirmation of Laguesma as DOLE Secretary, citing his accomplishment and experience.

“I fully support the confirmation of Sec. Benny Laguesma. I am very sure that with the background and experience of Sec. Laguesma he will be able to contribute to the expansion and growth of the Philippine economy,” Tolentino said.

So far, Laguesma got the unanimous support of 24 members of CA.

AUTHOR PROFILE

PS Jun M. Sarmiento