DAVAO CITY- The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE-XI) together with The Maritime Industry Tripartite Council (MITC-XI) officially agreed to a social partnership as they conduct the signing of Memorandum of Agreement and the Voluntary Code of Good Practices (VCGP) at the DOLE Activity Hall, Lakandula St., Dacudao Avenue, Agdao Davao City on August 6, 2013, Tuesday.

Representatives from the government, labor and management sectors in Davao Region gathered to witness the signing of the MOA and the Voluntary Code of Good Practices, crafted by MITC-XI, which aims to ensure job creation and preservation, skills enhancement, employment security, employees welfare and corporate social responsibility in the maritime industry.

DOLE Regional Director Joffrey M. Suyao said that through government intervention, people in the specific industry, specifically the maritime industry, should be involved in the policy making process in order for them to have a voice. Thus, it led to the creation of the Maritime Industry Tripartite Council in Region XI (MITC-XI), which is chaired by RD Suyao, co-chaired by Maritime Industry Authority Regional Director Marianito Mendoza, with vice-chair for Labor sector, Ms. Dolores Alegarbes and vice-chair for management sector Ms. Annaliza Claveria.

The event marks the agreement of the government, the labor sector and the stakeholders in the maritime industry in Davao Region to recognize the importance of tripartism as a policy and their roles in national development.

The MITC-XI is spearheaded by DOLE-XI along with its attached agencies; The Department of Transportation and Communications (DOTC-XI) through its regional office, The Maritime Industry Authority (MARINA RO-XI), Philippine Coast Guard-Coast Guard District Southeastern Mindanao (PCG-CDGSEM), Philippine Ports Authority (PPA-SMD); Department of Health (DOH-XI); Social Security System (SSS-XI);Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG-XI); Occupational Safety and Health Network (OSHNET-XI) ;Association of Trade Unions (ATU-TUCP); MPSI Labor Union-ATU-TUCP (MPSILU-ATU-TUCP);Mary Star of the Sea Seafarers Family Association (MaSSSFA);ODFJELL Philippines  Allotees Organization (ODFJELL); ML Kathrin; ML Marybel; CW Cole Inc.; International Shipping Manning Agencies represented by Magsaysay Maritime Corp.; Stevedoring and Port Services, represented by Davao Integrated Port and Stevedoring Services Corp. (DIPPSCOR) and Filipinas Port Services Inc. (FILPORT); and Maritime Schools represented by, DMMA College of Southern Philippines, Holy Cross Of Davao College (HCDC) and MATS College of Technology. (DOLE LCO/HCDC Intern)