Mayor Beng Climaco on Labor Day emphasized the importance of “kasambahay” or domestic workers in every household, stressing that they should be treated with love and respect.

“Aside from giving them due compensation, the ‘kasambahay’ are part of the family they are serving and as such they should be treated with love and respect,” Climaco said on “Dateline Teleradyo” Monday morning.

She said the city government under her administration has been trying to implement the Kasambahay Law or RA 10361, otherwise known as the “Domestic Workers Act” or “Batas Kasambahay,” which requires every barangay to establish a “Kasambahay Desk” in the barangay hall.

Climaco has also approved City Ordinance No. 568 passed by the Sangguniang Panlungsod in 2021 that “instituted the policy for the protection and welfare of domestic workers within the territorial jurisdiction of Zamboanga City.”

Under Rule 9 (Sec. 1) of the Implementing Rules and Regulations of RA 10361, “Every employer shall register a Kasambahay under his/her employment in the barangay where his/her residence is located.

The Punong Barangay shall be responsible for the Registry of Kasambahay within his/her jurisdiction. Section 3. Continuous Registration. – The Punong Barangay shall designate a Registration/Kasambahay Desk in the Barangay Hall to accommodate continuous registration by the employers.

Section 4. Kasambahay Masterlist. – The Punong Barangay shall maintain and update the Kasambahay Masterlist in the barangay.

The barangays through the Kasambahay Desks shall submit reports to the local government units (LGUs), through the PESOs on data regarding registration of the Kasambahay.-(Vic Larato)