Nasugbu, Batangas – The National Conciliation and Mediation Board (NCMB), in partnership with the Philippine League of Labor-Management Cooperation Practitioners (PHILAMCOP), recently concluded the 13th National Convention on Labor-Management Cooperation held on 23-24 November 2023 at Forest Crest Nature Hotel and Resort, Nasugbu, Batangas. The two-day event culminated in the awarding of winners of the 2023 Twin Search for Outstanding Labor-Management Cooperation (LMC) and Grievance Machinery (GM) for Industrial Peace. Eight (8) LMCs and two (2) GMs that have shown exceptional practices and convincing display of passion, commitment and strong employee engagement bagged the prestigious awards.

This year’s Convention theme, “Reboot, Revitalize, Optimize: Getting Ahead Towards A Boundless Horizon”, endeavors to continually advocate for strengthened cooperation and partnership in workplaces and recognize the contributions of LMCs and GMs in sustaining industrial harmony. It likewise epitomizes the significant role of LMC and GM in enhancing labor-management relations, workers’ participation and enterprise productivity amidst rapid technological advancement and ever-changing work landscape.

No less than DOLE Secretary Bienvenido E. Laguesma affirms, “Ito pong awarding natin ngayon will exemplify the extraordinary contributions of LMCs and GMs. Through the Search, we will recognize the best practices and success stories of plant-level cooperation and dispute resolution in the midst of challenging times.”

Secretary Laguesma expressed his appreciation to all companies that have traveled long distances to participate in this year’s Convention and especially to those which joined this year’s Twin Search and showcased their LMC and GM best practices. “Your participation and contribution serve as an inspiration and driving motivation to encourage more companies to establish their own LMC and make a functional and effective Grievance Machinery. This will also help in strengthening our campaign towards sustainable industrial peace towards all-inclusive economic growth despite unprecedented challenges through the bipartite mechanisms where labor and management sit together to discuss and decide on issues affecting employees,” he added.

Likewise, NCMB Executive Director Maria Teresita D. Lacsamana-Cancio attested to the effectiveness of LMC and GM in her inspirational message in saying that, “The LMC program of the NCMB is real and it is working effectively. This Convention, especially the awarding ceremony of the Twin Search for Outstanding Labor-Management Cooperation and Grievance Machinery for Industrial Peace is proof that LMC is not a waste of time, rather, it is time well spent.”

The momentous event, which was attended by 929 delegates from all regions of the country, was made more significant with the presence of esteemed guests including Assistant Secretary Lennard Constantine C. Serrano, DOLE IV-A Regional Director Roy L. Buenafe, Assistant Regional Director Marion S. Sevilla and members of the National Board of Judges for the Twin Search.

A total of 17 LMC finalists and three GM finalists from organized and unorganized establishments vied for the title. For LMC, the finalists were evaluated based on Organization of the LMC (25 points), Strategic Partnership (35 points), and Corporate Viability (40 points). While, for GM, they were rated on Labor and Management Commitment and Support to Grievance Management System (25 points), Grievance Management Procedure (35 points), and Effectiveness of Outcomes (40 points).

This year’s winners of the Outstanding LMC award under the organized category were TADECO Bananeros’ Family Circle (TBF Circle) of Tagum Agricultural Development Company, Inc. (TADECO), Del Monte Philippines, Inc. Mindanao LMC of Del Monte Philippines, Inc., Labor & Management Cooperation Committee of Mead Johnson Nutrition (Reckitt Philippines), Inc., MOP Tigers Employee Management Council of Coca Cola Beverages Philippines, Inc. Misamis Oriental Plant, and TMC Labor Management Committee of Taganito Mining Corporation.

Under the unorganized category, the winners were AMP Employees Council of Ampleon Philippines, Inc., AMCINERO of Apex Mining Company, Inc., and the Employee Engagement Committee (EEC) of Philippine Gold Processing and Refining Corporation.

For the Outstanding GM award, IEWP Employees Union of International Electric Wires Phils. Corp. (organized category) and TADECO Laborer’s Union – Southern Mindanao Federation of Labor and Davao United Supervisory Union – Southern Mindanao Federation Labor of Tagum Agricultural Development Company, Inc. (TADECO) were declared winners.

Each winner received a cash prize of Php100,000.00 and a glass trophy.

Three LMCs were bestowed with Special Awards, as follows: Aspulan of Benguet Electric Cooperative (BENECO), Inc. for Corporate Viability; SCIPSI Labor Management Committee (SLMC) of South Cotabato Integrated Port Services, Inc. for Organization of the LMC; and GENSAN CokeKasama of Coca-Cola Beverages Philippines, Inc. for Strategic Partnership. For GM, the Apex Mining Company Grievance Machinery of Apex Mining Company, Inc. was the sole recipient of the Special Award in Proactive Grievance Prevention Practice.

For winning three (3) times as Outstanding LMC (2013, 2015, 2023), TADECO Bananeros’ Family Circle (TBF Circle) of Tagum Agricultural Development Company, Inc. (TADECO) made it to the Hall of Fame Award. The Hall of Fame award is the highest award given to an LMC that has demonstrated commitment to sustain harmonious labor-management relations through partnership and collaboration.

To conclude the event, NCMB Deputy Executive Director Maria Cristina O. Mangaliman encouraged the delegates to continue to embrace the principle of labor-management partnership and cooperation and to work together towards a brighter future for all. Finally, she announced that the 14th National Convention on LMC will be held in Iloilo City.

Held biennially, the Search for Outstanding LMC and GM for Industrial Peace challenges LMCs with exceptional practices and exemplary contributions in enhancing labor-management relations towards company efficiency, productivity, and competitiveness, and GMs with effective grievance management systems to showcase these best practices and be an inspiration to all other LMCs and GMs all over the country. Also held every two years, the National Convention on LMC is a joint project of NCMB and PHILAMCOP that serves as a platform for LMC practitioners and GM advocates to broaden their network and strengthen ties through sharing of experiences and benchmarking of LMC and GM best practices.

For more information about this article, you may email wred_co@ncmb.gov.ph or call (02) 8252-6262 local 745.

END/ Pia Bianca B. Sambrano