RTWPB-MIMAROPA, in partnership with the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) and the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), organized a convergence program that seeks to provide kasambahays (domestic workers) with legal awareness, productivity training, livelihood, and entrepreneurial skills. 

 The program, “Produktibong Kasambahay, Kaagapay sa Pamumuhay,” was attended by 75 kasambahays from various barangays of San Jose in San Jose, Occidental Mindoro on August 19, 2025. 

 Participants gained a deeper understanding of their rights and benefits under Republic Act No. 10361, or the Batas Kasambahay, and were trained on productivity concepts, work improvement techniques, and the cultivation of values such as industriousness, systematic work habits, time consciousness, innovation, and a strong value for work. 

 Beyond legal and productivity awareness, the participants also benefited from DOLE’s livelihood programs and DTI’s basic entrepreneurial training. These initiatives equipped them with practical skills to increase income, strengthen resilience, and pursue self-reliance. 

 A key feature of the program was the Kasambahay Survey, which gathered vital data on wages, employment arrangements, and working conditions. The survey results will provide critical inputs for evidence-based minimum wage setting and the development of more targeted and sustainable programs for the kasambahay sector in MIMAROPA. 

 This initiative aligns with the NWPC’s mandate to promote inclusive growth and labor protection. By formally recognizing the role of kasambahays in household and community life, the NWPC and RTWPB-MIMAROPA aim to ensure that all workers benefit from national development efforts. 

 The convergence program was supported by the local government of San Jose and attended by San Jose Mayor Rey C. Ladaga.(Ser Michael Lancelot P. Gamboa)