More than 300 social partners from different sectors in the region gathered recently for the 9^th Social Partnership at Work conducted by the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) XI.

With the theme: Positive Change to Ensure Decent Work, the event was held on February 3, 2017 at the Ritz Hotel at Garden Oases.

The event was attended by DOLE Undersecretary Joel B. Maglunsod and DOLE Bureau of Labor Relations (BLR) Director Benjo Santos M. Benavidez.

This annual event is aimed to celebrate tripartism by recognizing partners for their efforts in achieving industrial peace and compliance to the current thrust of the Department which is on eliminating illegal contractualization. It also serves as an avenue of widening the range of the government’s convergence program, which promotes and strengthens the labor-management cooperation.

The highlight of the event was the distribution of different recognitions to establishments. Among the awardees were 8 establishments for Voluntary Compliance on Regularization of Employees, 19 establishments for Tripartite Certificate of Compliance with Labor Standards (TCCLS), 2 establishments for Child Labor-Free Establishment (CLFE), 6 establishments for Certificate of Compliance on Labor Relations (CoC on LR). Certificates of Appreciation were also given to the members of the Regional Tripartite Certification Committee XI and nominees for TCCLS and CoC on LR. Special Citation for Labor Management Cooperation Convergence Program were also awarded.

Undersecretary Maglunsod, who represented and read DOLE Secretary Silvestre H. Bello III’s message during the event, thanked DOLE XI and lauded the social partners for their best practices and continued support in the Department’s advocacy of inclusive growth and decent work for all Filipinos.

 “We need to work together to ensure that labor laws are effectively implemented, the basic rights of our employers and employees are promoted and protected and social dialogue as an avenue to foster mutual trust and respect is evident in all places,” Usec Maglungsod said in addition to the Secretary’s message.

DOLE XI Regional Director Joffrey M. Suyao, who is also the chairperson of the Regional Tripartite and Industrial Peace Council, in his message also thanked social partners for their continued compliance and cooperation to the Departments programs. He also thanked the members of the Regional Tripartite Certification Committee for their efforts during the validation of the different establishments in the region.

“This social partnership springs from our firm commitment and utmost cooperation to reach out to all sectors with special attention to those who belong to the most vulnerable segment or our workforce. Today’s event is for you our social partners because of your contribution to the Department of Labor and Employment’s action towards attainment of inclusive growth,” Director Suyao said.

“The best practices that you have shown has inspired us to remain steadfast in working towards realization of our shared goal: to promote and ensure decent and productive work for all women and men in conditions of freedom, equity, security and human dignity. We enjoin you to continuously partner with us in our quest to establish efficient, fair and just policies, laws and governance mechanisms that will usher positive changes so that we can ensure recognition and effective realization of all your rights,” he added.

Moreover, after the awarding ceremony, various topics were discussed by different presenters which include: DOLE-BLR Director Benavidez for updates on the BLR programs and nationwide labor organization; Regional Conciliation and Mediation Board XI Director Ma. Theresa M. Francisco for Workplace Enhancement Program; Regional Tripartite Wages and Productivity Commission XI Atty. IV Roni R. Ceriales for minimum wage rates in Davao Region; and Employees Compensation Commission (ECC) Information Officer Albert Bantan for the ECC Program.

Kriztja Marae G. Labrador/LCO-DOLEXI