The National Conciliation and Mediation (NCMB) in coordination with the Tripartite  Voluntary Arbitration Advisory Council (TVAAC) has recently conducted a two-day capability building seminar for Accredited Voluntary Arbitrators (AVAs) aimed to equip  AVAs in coping with the emerging challenges of the Voluntary Arbitration program.

For 28 years, the Board has partnered with the TVAAC to find ways in establishing and maintaining the integrity of the Voluntary Arbitration (VA) program.  It has made initiatives on the promotion of the program as the preferred mode of dispute settlement.

NCMB OIC Executive Director Maria Teresita L. Cancio said the partnership focused on improvement towards the enhancement of the program, to further support the Board’s mandate in maintaining the industrial peace situation in the country.

“As social partners, we should continue to cooperate to uphold the integrity of the VA system through continuous learning to effectively resolve disputes, as well as address issues, gaps and challenges confronting the program,” Cancio said.  She added that the NCMB can only perform its mandate effectively, if there is a stable and principled partnership existing within the Board, TVAAC and the AVAs.

The two day retooling or capacity building seminar conducted at Luxent Hotel, Timog Avenue, Quezon City on September 20-21, 2018 included training modules on Comparative Analysis of Different CBA Provisions on Disability Claims presented by Atty. Allan S. Montano and, Recent Jurisprudence on Voluntary Arbitration Cases discussed by Atty. Francis V. Sobrevinas.  A Workshop on the Best Practices on Voluntary Arbitration was facilitated by Atty. Josephus B. Jimenez while TS Director Ronda D. Malimban discussed the “State of the Voluntary Arbitration Program”.

Meanwhile, the biennial PAVA election for the new set of officers was facilitated during the event, with Atty. Michael L. Rama of Cebu City emerging as the new PAVA president for the period 2018 – 2020.

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