Government Policies on Public Sector Unionism 

The 1987 Philippine Constitution 

• Art III, Sec. 8 – Right of the people, including those employed in the public and private sectors, to form unions, associations, or societies.

• Art IX, B, Sec 2 (5) – Right to self-organization shall not be denied to government employees

• Art XIII, Sec. 3 –  Full protection to labor; promote full employment; guarantee the rights of all workers to self-organization, collective bargaining and negotiations, and peaceful concerted activities, including the right to strike in accordance with law; entitled to security of tenure, humane conditions of work, and a living wage; participate in policy and decision-making affecting their rights

Other laws, policies, resolutions

• Civil Service Code

• Executive Order No.180 (June 1, 1987)

• Civil Service Commission Resolutions and Circulars

• Public Sector Labor Management Council Resolutions

• Supreme Court Decisions 

• Formation (September 22-25, 1988) representatives of DSWD FO VI employees joined the Central Office and other Regional Offices in Novaliches, Quezon City to organize a national union of DSWD employees. On the same year, following intensified organizing efforts at the regional level, SWEAP DSWD FO VI was formed.

• Stage of Discernment (1992-1996) Most of the SWEAP leaders became inactive due to the vacuum in the national leadership which affected SWEAP campaigns at the chapter level.

• Comprehensive Union Reactivation (1996-2000) The initiation and regularization of conduct of chapter elections and General Assemblies was undertaken as well as the institutionalization of collection of union dues.

• Forging of C.N.A. & Union Struggles (2001-2007) SWEAP FO VI Chapter strongly supported the forging of the 1st C.N.A. on May 25, 2001, Magna Carta for Social Workers & Development Workers, nationwide campaign to oppose RSP and Divestment Plan, council resolution accepting MOA workers to become members, forging of 2nd C.N.A in July 21, 2004, and of the 3rd C.N.A in March 31, 2007

• Chapter Leadership and Union Rebirth (2008) Past SWEAP leaders include pioneer Chapter President Mrs. Mary Ann H. Masculino – RPC SLP, while Mrs. Lucita J. Villanueva DC of the Protective Service Division was elected President in 2007. SWEAP FO VI representations in all DSWD FO VI Management Committees such as the PSB, PDC, Grievance Committee, Monetization Committee, etc. were completely filled-up and institutionalized. Mr Alfuente Chapter Vice President initiated approved resolutions which established a milestone in SWEAP employee’s welfare program on the granting of Bereavement Assistance and Emergency Loan Assistance to cover Transportation, Education & Medical Assistance.

• Great Leap and Continued Struggles (2010-2012) In 2010, SWEAP FO VI passed a resolution in 2010 to ratify the SWEAP Constitution and By-Laws. In 2011, through the initiative of SWEAP the DSWD Prosper Fund was reactivated in partnership with FO VI Management. In January 28, 2011, the 1st SWEAP Fun Run was held with a Blood Letting activity in partnership with Bayanihang Bayan Volunteers, the 1st SWEAP Sportsfest was also opened for multiple sports tournaments from Basketball, Table Tennis, Bowling, Chess, Dart and Badminton, and institutionalizing the holding of such friendly games every year thereafter. For the first time in recent years, member employees showcased their talents during SWEAP Founding Anniversary Celebrations with social activities like DSWD Got Talent in 2011 and The X-Factor DSWD Version in 2012. Miss DSWD 2012 was also crowned on the same year.

SWEAP FO VI signed a petition in March 22, 2011 Junking the Memorandum on the Renewal of Contractual/Casual Positions for 3-months only. In September 2011, it signed a petition for the P6,000 increase in Minimum Wage Pay. On the same month in September 7, 2011 SWEAP released an Open Letter on COA Disallowance of MOA Workers 2010 Bonus preventing FO VI Management to make salary deductions for a refund. A position paper was passed in 2012 Junking Budget Circular No. 2011-5 and stopping DSWD Management to deduct or refund the P5,000.00 C.N.A incentives regular employees received in 2011. In November 22, 2012, SWEAP joined mass actions with COURAGE-Panay at the Casa Real Rotonda calling the Junking of DBM Circular 2011-5, protesting C.N.A. Refund, and campaign for P6,000 Minimum Pay.

• Moving Forward to Higher Levels of Union Struggles (2013-2016) In 2013, Mr. Clarence Darryl Alfuente was elected as President. On the same year Chapter President Alfuente was elected SWEAP National Council Vice President for Internal Affairs and Vice Chairman of the Association Management Consultative Committee (AMCC) for CY 2013-2016. On the same year, forging of the 4th C.N.A. 2013-2016 was made. Exploring member employee’s talents continued in SWEAP social events like The Voice @DSWD in 2013 and SWEAP Dance Sport in 2014. In August 26, 2013, SWEAP and COURAGE joined the Million People March Against Pork Barrel at the Capitol Grounds. Later on November 19, 2013, the Supreme Court declared as unconstitutional the PDAF/DAP or pork barrel. In July 24, 2014 SWEAP joined COURAGE, JUDEA and other government offices on a mass walk out at the Iloilo Hall of Justice to support calls for a P16,000 National Minimum Wage and Rejecting Tax on Benefits. Follow through activities in August 6, 2014 National Black Day of Protest, FO VI employees wore black ribbons to protest excessive tax on benefits. The following year on March 9, 2015, RA 10653 was signed into law increasing tax exclusions to P82,000 for 13th month pay and other benefits. In November 16, 2016, nationwide campaign to support MOA/JO workers started to intensify and SWEAP members across the region brought the attention on social media.

• 2017-2019: Strengthening Public Sector Unionism. Mr. Leo L. Quintilla Administrative Division Chief was elected President. In July 14, 2017 a Public Sector Unionism (PSU) seminar was conducted for SWEAP FO VI core group of leaders, Mr. Ferdinand Gaite, COURAGE National President acted as resource person. PSU activities for SWEAP members followed in Capiz Province in August 7, 2017, Aklan Province in August 24, 2017 and Negros Occidental also on the same year. In August 29, 2018, member employees joined the SWEAP National Mobilization Day and staged a noontime protest and hanging of streamers calling for P16,000 National Minimum Wage, Junking of CSC-COA-DBM JMC 1 S.2017, and Regularization or Direct Hiring of MOA/ COS workers. In August 3, 2018, Dugong DSWD Blood Letting Activity received a recognition from Philippine Red Cross Iloilo Chapter during its 20th Blood Donors Recognition. In 2019, Loyalty Awardees COS/JO workers started in recognition of their 10-15 years dedicated service/membership during an awarding ceremony at Plazuela De Iloilo. This recognition continues until at present.

• Sustaining the Victories of the Previous Struggles and Employees Welfare (2020-Present) The pandemic years has affected the mental and well-being of employees. To revitalize and sustain the physical wellness and mental health of employees socio-cultural, sports and fitness activities were institutionalized through the "UNIGAMES" a yearly sports activities (volleyball, basketball, bowling, badminton, e-games tournaments), wellness and fitness hub at DSWD FO VI. Chapter President Alfuente was elected SWEAP National Vice President for CY 2023-2025, Co-chair of the Association panel to the Association-Management Consultative Committee (AMCC), and Co-chair to the CNA Association Negotiating panel for CY 2024-2028. The Association activities and programs started to concentrate more on employees welfare and benefits to address concerns on health, wellness and financial conditions of employees. Advocacies have shifted from street activism to demand for occupational safety and health standards and workers benefit. However, the plight of COS/JO workers remained a concern with the unified call for the junking of COA/DBM JC No. 1 s. 2020 which would obliged for an institutionalized or agency hiring of COA/JO workers. The fight for a living wage continues with the demand for another wage increase and the passage of SSL VI.