History

The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) started as a small bureau in 1908. It became a department on December 8, 1933 with the passage of Act 4121. The Department of Labor and Employment stands as the national government agency mandated to formulate policies, implement programs and services, and serve as the policy-coordinating arm of the Executive Branch in the field of labor and employment.

The organization and functions of the Department of Labor and Employment are in accordance with the provisions of Executive Order No. 126, as amended, the Labor Code of the Philippines , and other relevant and pertinent legislations.

The Department has exclusive authority in the administration and enforcement of labor and employment laws and such other laws as specifically assigned to it or to the Secretary of Labor and Employment.

The DOLE – CAR Regional Office was established on October 18, 1987 by virtue of Executive Order 220 issued by then President Corazon C. Aquino which formalized the creation of the Cordillera Administrative Region.

Vision, Mandate & Strategies

Consistent with the national development plan, its vision is the attainment of full decent and productive employment for every Filipino worker. It is mandated to promote gainful employment opportunities, develop human resources, protect workers and promote their welfare and maintain industrial peace. To contribute in the attainment of the national employment goals, it adopts the following strategies:

To carry out its mandate, the Department has 16 regional offices, 34 overseas posts, 6 bureaus, 7 staff services, and 11 agencies attached to it for policy and program supervision and/or coordination.