Senior LEO Grace E. Membrere discussed the LMC committees during the plant-level seminar.

Manila— The Regional Conciliation and Mediation Branch-NCR (RCMB-NCR) successfully conducted a plant-level enhancement seminar focused on Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) mechanisms for W4 Alliance Security Agency, Inc. and Golden SF 1 Alliance Security Agency, Inc. The seminar, which adopted a hybrid format with 38 participants (29 on-site and 9 online) attending, was held in Ermita, Manila, on 01 March 2025.

The activity is part of the Regional Branch’s ongoing efforts to promote industrial peace and enhance workplace relations through proactive education and dialogue. Attendees included key representatives from various units of both security agencies.

The seminar commenced with the discussion on the roles and responsibilities of members on the different LMC committees by Senior LEO Grace E. Membrere. She emphasized the importance of each member’s active participation and accountability in upholding the effectiveness of the LMC as a collaborative platform for resolving workplace concerns.

Senior LEO Renato R. Cañutal during his discussion about the R.A. 11313.

 Senior LEO Renato R. Cañutal followed with a discussion on R.A. No. 11313, also known as the “Safe Spaces Act” or “Bawal Bastos Law.” He explained that the law was enacted in April 2019 and has the following key purposes:

1. protect individuals from gender-based sexual harassment in public and private spaces, including online environments, workplaces, and educational institutions.
2. define gender-based sexual harassment, which includes unwelcome sexual advances, inappropriate requests, or demands.
3. prescribe penalties for those who commit acts of gender-based sexual harassment, including obligations for companies to establish internal committees to address the concerns.

He reminded the participants that the law applies to all sectors, including private security services as he highlighted the legal consequences for employers who fail to comply with its mandates.

Conciliator- Mediator Atty. Kristine C. Vergara shares workers’ rights and management prerogatives.

Meanwhile, Conciliator-Mediator (CM) Atty. Kristine C. Vergara tackled the fundamental rights and obligations of workers, as well as management prerogatives related to employee discipline.

She stressed that these rights are not only constitutional but also inherent to employees from their first day of work. She further clarified that these rights come with various obligations employees must fulfill.

She also discussed the scope of management prerogatives, stressing that while employers have the authority to manage operations and enforce discipline, such power must be exercised in good faith, justice, and fair play.

CM Vergara further warned against the imposition of disciplinary action without observing due process, citing several instances in which employees faced disciplinary measures or termination for violating company policies which were later found to be legally questionable.

The seminar concluded with participants gaining valuable insights on alternative dispute resolution and workplace legal responsibilities. The event highlighted the importance of fostering a lawful, respectful, and collaborative work environment within the private security sector.

end/rrc