One-Stop Island Services provide social protection registration and education, as well as livelihood support and employment opportunities in Siargao, the International Labour Organization (ILO) said in a news release.
Over a hundred informal workers in Siargao have registered at a One-stop services, gaining access to social protection, livelihood support, and employment opportunities.
The ILO and the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) have partnered with Lokal Lab at the Tinabangay (helping together in the local dialect) to hold a One-stop service registration held on 29-30 November 2024 in General Luna, the tourism hub.
The initiative assisted hundreds of informal workers in the agro-fishery, tourism, digital freelance, and micro and small enterprise sectors under the ILO’s Rise from multiple crises through the integrated formalization of informal economy and Rebuilding Better Coconut Economy projects.
Siargao, a famous surfing destination, relies heavily on tourism and agriculture. However, farmers, fishers and tourism operators become increasingly vulnerable to climate change. Stronger typhoons and environmental shocks have pushed many into poverty, worsened by limited access to social protection.
“We provide an integrated and streamlined social protection registration to support farmers, fishers, tourism and informal economy workers. As a one-stop seamless process, they are not just prepared but also protected against economic shocks and climate change,” said Linartes Viloria, ILO National Project Coordinator.
The ILO’s World Social Protection Report 2024-26 highlights how social protection helps people adapt and cope with climate shocks by providing income security and healthcare access. It also serves as cushion for families, workers and businesses during the green transition, promoting sustainable economic practices.
The DOLE has extended livelihood support to disadvantaged and displaced workers through its TUPAD program. This community-based safety net initiative provides temporary employment to workers in the informal economy.
“We are committed to supporting the transition of informal economy workers to the formal sector. Through this, we bring livelihood support and extend social protection and employment services directly and reach those vulnerable to climate change,” said DOLE Caraga Regional Director Atty. Joffrey Suyao.
Featuring the ILO’s Single window service model, the One-stop Island Services brought together the Social Security System (SSS), PhilHealth, Pag-IBIG, Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), and local governments in providing registration services and information sessions.
Siargao has been identified in labor inspections as an area needing improvement in social protection compliance, with many workers lacking the necessary registration and understanding of its importance.
The initiative aims to build a more resilient and inclusive island by educating workers on the importance and benefits of social protection. This is in addition to providing a comprehensive and integrated approach for entrepreneurship and employment facilitation.
This initiative, supported by the ILO’s Regular Budget Supplementary Account (RBSA) with contributions from Belgium, Denmark, France, Germany, Italy, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Norway, Sweden, and Spain, aims to promote decent work and extend social protection.
