Title
Rationalizing Family Welfare Program in DOLE
Law
Dole Department Order No. 56-03
Decision Date
Dec 11, 2003
DOLE Department Order No. 56-03 redefines the Family Welfare Program to prioritize comprehensive family welfare services, including reproductive health, education, and livelihood support, while mandating the establishment of Family Welfare Committees in workplaces with over 200 employees to ensure effective implementation.
family welfare
labor code
administrative order

Legal basis and policy alignment

  • The order is issued pursuant to Article 134 of the Labor Code and its Implementing Rules and Regulations.
  • The order aligns DOLE priorities with commitments under the 1995 International Conference on Women in Beijing, the 1999 International Conference on Population and Development Programme of Action, the Philippine Population Management Program, the Directional Plan for 2002-2004, and the Philippine Plan for Nutrition 1999-2004.
  • The order modifies the priorities of the Family Welfare Program (FWP), shifting the program’s focus beyond its earlier family planning thrust.

Revised FWP priorities and framework

  • The FWP shifts from promoting family planning toward providing family welfare services to workers.
  • The order establishes ten dimensions that guide both labor and management in implementing FWP programs and projects.
  • The ten dimensions are:
    • Reproductive Health and Responsible Parenthood
    • Education/Gender Equality
    • Spirituality or Value Formation
    • Income Generation/Livelihood/Cooperative
    • Medical Health Care
    • Nutrition
    • Environmental Protection, Hygiene and Sanitation
    • Sports and Leisure
    • Housing
    • Transportation

Reproductive health scope and services

  • The order states that broader population policies and programs must extend beyond family planning, consistent with the Philippines’ commitment to the Programme of Action of the 1994 International Conference on Population and Development.
  • Reproductive Health is defined as the state of complete physical, mental and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity, in all matters relating to the reproductive system and its functions and processes.
  • Reproductive Health Care is defined as interventions or services covering, among others, the following concerns:
    • Family Planning (FP)
    • Maternal and Child Health and Nutrition (MCHN)
    • Prevention and Management of Abortion and its Complications (PMAC)
    • Prevention and Management and Reproductive Tract Infections (RTIs)
    • Education and Counseling on Sexuality and Sexual Health
    • Breast and Reproductive Tract Cancers and other Gynecological Conditions
    • Men’s Reproductive Health
    • Adolescent and Youth Health
    • Violence Against Women and Children
    • Prevention and Treatment of Infertility and Sexual Dysfunction

Major activities under FWP

  • DOLE, through the Bureau of Women and Young Workers (BWYW), and the DOLE-Regional Offices, and establishments covered by this Department Order shall provide orientation-seminars on the FWP.
  • Orientation-seminars must focus on reproductive health, gender equality, and nutrition.
  • DOLE shall facilitate appropriate information organization of Family Welfare Committees (FWCs) in establishments employing more than 200 workers.
  • Capability building activities shall be provided for:
    • labor and management leaders
    • members of Family Welfare Committees
    • plant clinic staff (nurses, midwives, doctors)
    • peer educators

Implementing mechanism and roles

  • DOLE, through the BWYW and the DOLE Regional offices, shall ensure the full implementation of the FWP in partnership with concerned government agencies, employers groups, workers organizations, and the rest of civil society.
  • The BWYW, as program manager, shall:
    • Provide technical supervision and support interventions to enable operating units to attain maximum program targets and objectives
    • Issue a checklist of existing programs, projects and activities related to FWP implementation
  • The Regional Offices, as program implementers, shall:
    • Coordinate activities with the regional development councils, the regional population coordinating council, or other similar appropriate committee or groups to create linkages and convergence among stakeholders
    • Ensure the enforcement of Article 134 of the Labor Code, as amended, and strengthen advocacy for implementing the FWP
    • Provide information and render support services on reproductive health to the Regional Population Coordinating Council or other appropriate group, as the regional focal point for orchestrating and monitoring implementation of the national population policy

Employer obligations and Family Welfare Committees

  • Establishments employing more than 200 workers in any locality shall form a Family Welfare Committee (FWC) through the assistance of the DOLE-Regional Offices.
  • The FWC shall be responsible for planning, organizing, and implementing an in-plant family welfare program.
  • The in-plant program shall focus on the ten dimensions of the FWP.
  • Employers are urged to provide necessary support, assistance, and resources to the FWC for capability building activities for labor and management leaders, FWC members, plant clinic staff (nurses, midwives, and doctors), and peer educators.
  • Establishments employing less than 200 workers are encouraged to establish/organize a Family Welfare Committee and implement a family welfare program.

Funding and budget sources

  • All DOLE Regional Offices must use the annual five percent (5%) Gender and Development budget allocation to implement the FWP.
  • DOLE Regional Offices may access the Working Youth Center Program budget allocation relative to activities concerning adolescent and youth health.

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