City of San Fernando, Pampanga  – In a joint effort to strengthen the conciliation and mediation skills of Single-Entry Approach Desk Officers (SEADOs), the Regional Conciliation and Mediation Branch III (RCMB III) and the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) Regional Office III (RO3) organized a two-day Advanced SEADO Training at Jerlen Farm and Resort, Bacolor, Pampanga. The event, held on 9-10 October 2024, gathered SEADOs from the DOLE Provincial Field Offices in Region 3 for a hands-on experience aimed at refining their dispute resolution abilities.

Led by RCMB III Director Othello Tongio, Jr., the training focused on deepening SEADOs’ proficiency in resolving labor disputes at the grassroots level. As the frontline personnel in labor-management conflict resolution, SEADOs play a crucial role in maintaining workplace harmony through the Single-Entry Approach (SENA) program – a program mandating labor conflicts to a 30-day conciliation-mediation service.

Director Tongio spearheaded the discussions on data gathering and probing techniques, critical tools that enable SEADOs to understand the nuances of labor disputes. By equipping participants with advanced data collection methods, this allows SEADOs to comprehensively analyze disputes and craft solutions that benefit both workers and employers. “Effective conciliation starts with thorough understanding. You need to ask the right questions and gather the right information” Tongio remarked during his session. 

Further enriching the program, Conciliator-Mediator Rico Babalcon delivered an in-depth review of conciliation and mediation techniques. Babalcon’s session provided SEADOs with a refresher on key mediation principles while introducing new strategies to improve the resolution of disputes. “Our goal is to empower SEADOs to resolve disputes swiftly and fairly, preventing them from escalating into full blown disputes or other costly conflicts” Babalcon explained. His focus on sharpening the communication and negotiation skills of SEADOs was well received by the participants.

Conciliator-Mediator Allan Tolentino, one of the key facilitators, carried through a session dedicated to conflict resolution strategies, emphasizing practical methods to de-escalate tense workplace situations. Tolentino underscored how crucial empathy and attentive listening are to settling labor issues. Tolentino said “It’s not just about resolving the issue at hand, but also about rebuilding trust between parties”.

The training concluded with an interactive mock conciliation session, where participants were divided into groups to simulate real-world labor disputes. This exercise allowed SEADOs to put their newly acquired skills into practice, offering a dynamic way to reinforce the techniques learned during the training. Participants role-played as mediators and requesting parties, applying data gathering, mediation techniques, and conflict resolution strategies in real-time. Other participants were tasked with observing and providing feedback on the mock conciliation, others took on the role of recording and writing of minutes from the conciliation conferences as part of the workshop.

Feedback from participants was overwhelmingly positive, with many citing the mock sessions as a key highlight. The hands-on approach and practical exercises were praised for providing SEADOs with a deeper understanding of how to handle complex labor issues effectively.

The initiative reflects RCMB III and DOLE RO3’s ongoing commitment to fostering a harmonious labor-management relationship across the region. By continuously enhancing the skills of SEADOs, the agencies ensure that labor disputes can be resolved efficiently, minimizing disruptions and maintaining a productive workforce. As Director Tongio noted, “Our SEADOs are essential to keeping the peace in workplaces, and we remain dedicated to their professional development.”

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