RCMB-XI, RTWPB XI, ECC-REUXI, and participating representatives during the area-wide seminar held on  April 28, 2025, at Grand Regal Hotel Davao

“Stronger together.” This is how the area-wide seminar on Boosting Productivity, Benefits Awareness, and Bridging Harmony in the Workplace could be encapsulated in two words.

Davao City – Aimed at empowering both workers and management representatives while promoting sustainable labor relations, a seminar-forum on workplace productivity and harmony was held on April 28, 2025, at the Grand Regal Hotel Davao, at J.P. Laurel Avenue, Lanang, Buhangin, Davao City. The event was organized in collaboration with the Regional Conciliation and Mediation Branch-XI (RCMB-XI), the Regional Tripartite Wages and Productivity Board XI (RTWPB XI), and the Employees’ Compensation Commission-Regional Extension Unit XI (ECC-REUXI).

Bringing together 87 Labor Management Cooperation (LMC) practitioners from unorganized companies, the forum aimed to deepen participants’ understanding of employee benefits, productivity tools, and effective mechanisms for resolving workplace disputes.

The event served as a valuable platform for strengthening partnerships between the government and the private sector, in pursuit of more harmonious labor-management relations and productive and empowered workforce. It also sought to foster a shared appreciation among unorganized companies for the benefits of improved productivity, employee compensation programs, and proactive dispute resolution strategies.

In his welcome remarks, Regional Director Gerie Lampitco emphasized that the forum aims to provide regular updates on current labor trends, emerging policies, and developments in labor relations.  He noted that the event plays a vital role in equipping companies with updated guidelines and practical procedures to effectively implement workplace challenges. “This forum helps promote stronger labor-management cooperation to enhance productivity, industrial peace, and workplace harmony,” Director Lampitco stated.

Following the opening remarks, a discussion on alternative dispute resolution and strengthened tripartite cooperation was conducted. During the lecture, the head of RCMB-XI underscored the vital role of communication in addressing labor issues at an early stage—before the need arises for third-party intervention by institutions such as the NCMB becomes necessary.

An attendee of the “Stronger Together: Boosting Productivity, Benefits Awareness, and Bridging Harmony in the Workplace” seminar poses a question to one of the speakers during the event.

Meanwhile, Ms. Maris Tabusares, Senior Labor and Employment Officer (LEO) of RTWPB XI, led a session on enhancing workplace productivity through proven tools and techniques, including the Performance-Based Incentive Schemes (PBIS). The scheme has been proven effective in driving increased sales and operational savings. “With incentives, the workers are motivated,” she explained, providing an analogy on how improved product and service quality can significantly reduce customer complaints.

Atty. Sharon Grace Sanoy of RTWPB XI also provided valuable insights on addressing wage distortion, while Mr. Albert Bantan of ECC-REUXI gave updates on employee compensation and welfare programs, including the Employee’s Compensation Program (ECP). “Under this program, if a worker cannot return to work, it is not just the loss of a body part that disables them—it is also the emotional toll and the feeling of being useless for their family because of disability,” Mr. Bantan said.

The seminar concluded with a unifying call to action: that harmonious workplace relations, informed labor and management sectors, and collaborative governance are essential in achieving sustainable regional development. This call stays true to the forum’s theme, “Stronger Together.”end/sar