Manila, May 2 -- Private workers in Albay and Sorsogon provinces will have additional learnings and awareness in labor rights after the Department of Labor and Employment in Bicol (DOLE-5) and the Integrated Bar of the Philippines (IBP) signed a memorandum of agreement (MOA) on Thursday to expand legal aid.

In a phone interview on Friday, DOLE-5 Director Imelda Gatinao said the partnership is aimed at promoting labor rights, empowering informal workers and strengthening labor-employer relations across the region.

"For now, the MOA is between the IBP of Sorsogon and Albay, but hopefully we will have it all in the six provinces. It will be implemented throughout the year," Gatinao said.

The partnership includes labor education sessions, ...