Director Hacelfeo Cuares wears his signature warm smile during his retirement celebration. After years of dedicated public service, Sir Hacel bids farewell to government work and looks forward to his well-earned “permanent vacation.”

Tacloban City, Leyte – In the hallway of the Regional Conciliation and Mediation Board VIII (RCMB-VIII), the familiar footsteps of Regional Director Hacelfeo Cuares will now live on as a treasured memory. This July 2025 marks the closing of the final chapter in the long and meaningful government service of a soft-spoken yet steadfast peacemaker. Yet for those who had the privilege of working with him, this is not an end of his story, only the beginning of a well-deserved and meaningful new chapter.

Born with a heart for public duty, the RCMB-VIII dedicated a significant part of his life to public service. His career was defined by decades of selfless dedication, marked by his presence at the frontline of labor disputes resolution, the promotion of some workplace relations, and the advocacy of industrial peace. From mediating labor-management conflicts to facilitating settlements, Director Cuares became a fixture in the region’s labor relations landscape and in all other regions and offices where he has served. He was known not only for his technical expertise but also for his unwavering fairness, calm demeanor, and principled leadership.

During his send-off party, there were no fireworks, but there were plenty of smiles and laughter, and a few quiet tears. As one staff member of RCMB-VIII remarked during the Salamat-Paalam, “Sir, maraming salamat. You didn’t just teach us how to settle disputes. You taught us how to lead without shouting, how to listen with respect, and how to serve with joy. Mamimiss ka namin.”

Meanwhile, NCMB Executive Director Maria Teresita Lacsamana-Cancio in her message said, “We applaud and  truly appreciate you, Hacel. You have been a great part of NCMB. Always remember that this is not goodbye, because we will see you later, and rest assured that we will remain a family no matter what may happen.”

In his retirement speech, the outgoing director expressed heartfelt gratitude to the entire NCMB Family while reminiscing the bits and pieces of every moment shared. “Mga kapatid, maraming salamat sa undying patience niyo sa akin and for tolerating my insufferable personality,” he said. As he steps into a well-deserved retirement, he looks forward to spending more time with his family and engaging more deeply in community service.

A man of harmony, a friend to both labor and management, and now, a happy retiree, the NCMB extends its heartfelt thanks to Director Cuares for his unwavering dedication and commitment in promoting industrial peace. Though his footsteps may no longer echo through the hallways of the RCMB VIII Office, his legacy lives on reflected in every handshake, every successful negotiation, and every peaceful settlement in the future. end/nvg