The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) Cavite Provincial Office, in partnership with 36 companies, has launched an initiative to establish Family Welfare Committees (FWCs) in workplaces across the province.

DOLE-Cavite Director Marivic Martinez said in a phone interview Wednesday that the program, mandated for companies with at least 200 employees, aims to integrate family welfare into workplace policies to improve employee well-being and productivity.

Smaller companies are also encouraged to adopt the program.

“The Family Welfare Program (FWP) is a key advocacy of DOLE, designed to enhance workers’ quality of life through a family-centered approach,” Martinez said. “It integrates family welfare into workplace practices, fostering better productivity and strengthening labor-management relationships.”

The initiative emphasizes family planning, mental health, and relationship management as part of workplace practices to create supportive and sustainable environments.

More than 70 representatives from 36 companies attended an orientation session held Tuesday at the First Cavite Industrial Estate (FCIE) Administration Hall in Dasmariñas City.

During the event, participants formed a federation to draft by-laws and policies aimed at sustaining the program’s objectives.

Martinez stressed the importance of integrating the Family Welfare Program into organizational policies to ensure long-term success.

“DOLE remains steadfast in its mandate to embed family-centric programs into workplace policies,” she said. “This commitment ensures the development of workplaces that prioritize the well-being of employees and their families, contributing to overall productivity and sustainability.”

The initiative reflects DOLE’s ongoing efforts to promote balanced and family-friendly work environments, underscoring its dedication to improving the quality of life for Filipino workers. (PNA)