Participants from various enterprises across Mindoro convene in Calapan for the specialized orientation seminar on April 22, 2025.

Calapan City, Oriental Mindoro – “This is not only an opportunity to learn but also a chance to work together for a cooperative, peaceful, and harmonious environment in the agricultural sector,” emphasizedDr. Rosalie Bautista, President of the Oriental Mindoro ATI Learning Sites Association (OMALSA), during the specialized orientation seminar on April 22, 2025, held in Capalan City, Oriental Mindoro.

The event gathered over 40 participants from 22 companies, ranging from micro to large enterprises, to strengthen labor-management relations and promote peaceful conflict resolution mechanisms in the workplace. Organized by the Regional Conciliation and Mediation Branch MIMAROPA (RCMB-MIMAROPA), the seminar highlighted the key programs of the Board, including Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR), Labor-Management Cooperation (LMC), Grievance Machinery (GM), and Voluntary Arbitration (VA). These programs are designed to create a collaborative workplace atmosphere where issues can be addressed constructively.

RCMB-MIMAROPA Labor and Employment Officer III Renato Fajardo Jr. emphasized the importance of LMC in fostering productive and sustainable labor relations. He explained that LMC embodies a win-win approach, promoting a genuine partnership between employees and management. This collaborative framework enhances communication, strengthens engagement, and builds mutual respect among all stakeholders. By bridging gaps and fostering open dialogue, LMC lays the foundation for a more harmonious and efficient workplace where both workers and management can thrive and succeed together.

Meanwhile, Supervising Labor and Employment Officer Catherine Alcantara emphasized the critical role of a well-functioning GM in promoting a harmonious workplace environment. She explained that the GM serves as a responsive and structured mechanism for addressing internal conflicts effectively. As the first line of mechanisms for addressing disputes, it enables timely intervention in workplace issues and reduces the need for more formal or adversarial processes.

To deepen participants’ understanding and encourage practical application, the RCMB-MIMAROPA team conducted an interactive, hands-on workshop tailored to the diverse needs of attendees. The session focused on identifying actionable LMC and GM frameworks within their respective organizations, with particular emphasis on designating focal persons to oversee effective implementation.

Participants enthusiastically engaged in the activity, presenting innovative LMC proposals that showcased creativity and a wide range of strategic approaches, underscoring their strong commitment to fostering workplace collaboration.

Notably, several companies expressed keen interest in integrating the GM program into their existing LMC structures, recognizing the value of a unified approach to conflict resolution and employee engagement.  As a direct outcome of the seminar, five (5) companies formalized and submitted their LMC structures, complete with well-defined subcommittees. The remaining participants are currently receiving technical assistance from RCMB-MIMAROPA to help them finalize, formalize, and institutionalize their respective frameworks.

Dr. Bautista expressed her heartfelt gratitude to  Regional Director Atty. Ligaya Lumbay and the RCMB-MIMAROPA technical team for their invaluable expertise, unwavering commitment, and continued advocacy of the Board’s ADR programs. Demonstrating solidarity and shared purpose, Dr. Bautista also pledged OMALSA’s commitment to supporting the promotion and implementation of NCMB programs across the region.

The seminar marks a significant step in raising awareness of ADR practices and in reinforcing industrial harmony and collaboration throughout the province, laying the groundwork for a more peaceful and cooperative working environment.

OMALSA, a respected local association in Oriental Mindoro, is comprised of members from educational institutions, agricultural farms, and training centersend/rqfjr as edited