Quezon City, Metro Manila – Sharing the same vision and commitment in working towards peaceful and harmonious workplace settings, the National Conciliation and Mediation Board (NCMB) and the Philippine League of Labor Management Cooperation Practitioners (PHILAMCOP), Inc. have been long-time partners in putting labor-management cooperation (LMC) at the forefront of redefining industrial relations.

Towards this noble aim, the NCMB and PHILAMCOP held their First Quarterly Meeting on February 9, 2024 at the NCMB Central Office, Quezon City to set the tone for more collaborative engagements, underscoring their enduring partnership.

The meeting was presided over by NCMB Executive Director Maria Teresita D. Lacsamana-Cancio. She was joined by Deputy Executive Directors Teresita E. Audea and Maria Cristina O. Mangaliman and other Central Office officials in welcoming the newly elected officers of the PHILAMCOP.

ED Cancio took the opportunity to convey her gratitude to the past and present officers of the PHILAMCOP. “To the outgoing officers, thank you for your steadfast work and support to the cause of industrial peace. We will always look back to the lessons of the past and hold on to the inspiration we gained to tread the path of harmonious labor-management relations,” said ED Cancio.

To the new officers, ED Cancio had these words: “Welcome new officers! We look forward with great anticipation to fresh ideas and novel ways of doing things”.

The discussion centered on the presentation of the programs, projects and activities of the PHILAMCOP for 2024-2025. PHILAMCOP President, Dr. Gina Fe Israel laid down their plans which include holding of Cluster LMC Conventions in Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao and a meeting with the Regional LMC Association Presidents this 2024. For 2025, the officers are setting their sight in the international stage through an international immersion on LMC. Also tackled were the preparations for the big event in 2025–the conduct of the 14th National Convention on LMC–which is tentatively scheduled in November 2025.

ED Cancio pledged NCMB’s usual support and assistance to the activities of the PHILAMCOP. She stressed that it is through these activities that PHILAMCOP’s presence will be visible and felt by companies and workers’ organizations, especially those that need help.

Banking on PHILAMCOP’s strong conviction to the cause of workplace cooperation, ED Cancio sought the assistance of the officers in encouraging more companies to establish LMCs and Grievance Machineries. “Let us expand our partnership by actively working together and supporting the twin programs towards stable industrial relations throughout the Philippines,” says ED Cancio. She also hopes that this message will be echoed to all the Regional LMC Associations.

In response to ED Cancio’s request, the PHILAMCOP leadership said that they are up to the challenge stating that they have been inviting and persuading companies to embrace the LMC and GM mechanisms in workplaces. They committed to continuously and extensively advocate the bipartite programs.

Moving forward, the NCMB and PHILAMCOP will continue to persevere with the common objective of advancing the LMC and GM programs for the greater benefit of all companies and their employees. The strong partnership of the two organizations shall be the foundation and the springboard for the attainment of the endeavor.

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

END/ Pia Bianca Sambrano