Jinggoy: Caregivers’ Welfare Act to end all forms of abuses, ensure better working conditions for the sector
Senator Jinggoy Ejercito Estrada on Monday, January 1 said he is confident that Republic Act No. 11965, or the Caregivers’ Welfare Act will help fight and end all forms of abuses against caregivers.
The law, which signed into law on Nov. 23, 2023, puts in place policies that are aimed at protecting the rights and welfare of domestic caregivers.
Estrada, chairman of the Senate Committee on Labor, and who steered the passage of the said measure into law, said caregivers all over the country can now look forward to better working conditions, benefits and protection.
“Isa itong malaking hakbang para matiyak na mapapabuti ang kalagayan ng ating mga caregivers at mabibigyan ng proteksyon ang isang vulnerable but vigorous sector ng ating lipunan (This is a big step to ensure that the condition of our caregivers will be improved and a vulnerable but vigorous sector of our society will be protected),” Estrada said in a statement.
In particular, the lawmaker said it is necessary to defend caregivers’ rights and ensure their protection against economic exploitation, including harassment and violence.
“It is essential to protect them from any mistreatment. Caregivers are frequently undervalued and should be treated with dignity, respect, and fairness,” the senator stressed.
RA 11965 covers caregivers who are employed and working within the country in private homes, nursing or care facilities and other residential settings.
It also covers caregivers who are directly hired by the employer or placed through the Public Employment Services Office (PESO) and or a private employment agency (PEA).
Aside from RA 11965, Estrada also vouched for several bills that were signed into law recently by President Marcos which he co-authored and co-sponsored.
Among these are the New Agrarian Emancipation Act (RA 11953), One Town, One Product (OTOP) Philippines Program (RA 11960), Automatic Income Classification of Local Government Units Act (RA 11964), Public-Private Partnership (PPP) Code of the Philippines (RA 11966), Internet Transactions Act of 2023 (RA 11967), and the Cultural Mapping Law (RA 11961).
Estrada said there is a necessity to update the income classification of LGUs since it is already outdated and is no longer in consonance with the prevailing economic conditions and their overall financial status.
“For LGUs to remain dynamic and consistent, the institutionalization of the automatic income classification is a welcome development as it will improve their status and correctly reflect their financial capacity,” he said.
“By regularly assessing any changes in their capacity, the LGUs can formulate and direct policies accordingly and better align themselves with the national government’s financial and fiscal policies,” said Estrada, who is a former local chief executive.