Deputy Executive Director Teresita Audea, along with NCMB officials and RCMB directors, initiated the launching of the 2025 Twin Search through a ceremonial toast

Quezon City— Has your workplace developed innovative practices to ensure that industrial peace and harmonious workplace relations are sustained in your company?

Now is the time to showcase them! The National Conciliation and Mediation Board (NCMB) has officially launched this year’s edition of the Twin Search for Outstanding Labor-Management Cooperation (LMC) and Grievance Machinery (GM) for Industrial Peace on Friday, March 28. 

Held at Park Inn by Radisson Hotel in Quezon City, the event was attended by distinguished guests—officials from the Department of Labor and Employment along with partners advocating LMC and GM programs. More than 150 participants from various companies across the nation attended the launch.

In her welcome remarks, NCMB Executive Director Maria Teresita Lacsamana-Cancio expressed pride in the Board’s initiative in celebrating the efforts of organizations who put forward communication and understanding as well as collaboration and partnership in achieving  shared goals.

“The search is NCMB’s way of highlighting LMCs dedicated to building strong relations founded on trust, respect, fairness, and genuine concern for one another to give the limelight to effective grievance machineries that ensure peaceful workplaces where issues are addressed to create a positive and inclusive work culture,” she stated. “It also shines a spotlight on effective grievance machineries that promote peaceful workplaces where concerns are resolved”. 

“The Search is all about workers and employers, you, everyone here in this hall, seeking ways to express their—our—shared responsibility of bringing about harmony in our places of work,” she said, “Actually, the Twin Search is an invitation to everyone who believes in persistent collaborative work towards industrial peace.”

DOLE Undersecretary for Labor Relations, Policy, and International Affairs Cluster, Benedicto Ernesto Bitonio Jr., NCMB Executive Director Maria Teresita Lacsamana-Cancio, and Deputy Executive Director Teresita Audea share how the Search celebrates partnership and collaboration during the launch.

Meanwhile, Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) Undersecretary for Labor Relations, Policy, and International Affairs Cluster, Benedicto Ernesto Bitonio Jr. described the Search as a “call to action” more than it being a recognition program and award.

“It calls for all sectors to engage in initiatives that foster sustainable partnerships, therefore enhancing productivity, profitability, and a more equitable work environment,” he supplied, adding that he believes the possibility that the next to receive the recognition may be  one of the launch attendees.

A highlight of the event was the presentation of Ms. Vermilyn Bilog  from the TADECO Bananeros’ Family Circle (TBF), 2023 Hall of Fame LMC awardee. Her story of perseverance resonated with the audience as she jokingly warned that joining the Search may be addictive. “Lalo na po kung paulit-ulit kayong natatalo,” she explained with a laugh. According to her, they become more eager to join every edition after a loss, as they believe they always have something to show and prove.

The TBF of the Tagum Agricultural Development Company, Inc. (TADECO) has joined the Search seven times, losing four times in 2011, 2017, 2019, and 2021. They have won in 2013, 2015, and 2023–their latest win securing them  a Hall of Fame award for LMC excellence.

To conclude, NCMB Deputy Executive Director Teresita Audea reaffirmed the crucial role of  labor-management cooperation and grievance machinery programs in fostering harmonious workplace relationships. 

“These mechanisms are not just tools for resolving conflicts, but more importantly, these are the foundation upon which successful organizations are built. When management and employees work together in a spirit of mutual trust, respect, and cooperation, the partnership leads to outcomes beneficial to a more productive and thriving business environment,” she stated.

As DED Audea raised her glass for the ceremonial toast alongside with NCMB and RCMB officials, she left everyone with a challenge as the Search was opened, saying, “How have you improved your LMCs and/or GMs that capture the principles embodying the true spirit of partnership and collaboration? What programs have you implemented that fully harness the functionality of your mechanisms in addressing the workplace issues?”

To know more about the search, interested applicants/nominees can view the brochures and download nomination forms at https://tinyurl.com/2025TwinSearch. Nominations are accepted until May 30, 2025.

Winners are expected to receive a glass trophy along with a cash prize of P100,000. Hall of Fame awardees will also be given a special plaque of recognition.

end/jpmangalino