Metro Manila – The National Conciliation and Mediation Board (NCMB) recently celebrated one of its milestones in reaching the 35th Founding Anniversary with the theme “Tapat na Naglilingkod, Serbisyong Kalugod-lugod, Pang-industriyang Kapayapaan aming Itataguyod”. The celebration was held last 04 January 2023 at the Ichikawa Hall of the Occupational Safety and Health Center (OSHC) and was attended by the officials and employees of the Board. The event was also graced by former NCMB Administrator, now Labor and Employment Secretary, Bienvenido “Benny” E. Laguesma, together with some officials of the Department of Labor and Employment, namely Undersecretary for Labor Relations, Policy and International Affairs Cluster Atty. Benedicto Ernesto R. Bitonio Jr., Undersecretary for Legislative Liaison and Legal Affairs Cluster Atty. Felipe N. Egargo Jr., and Assistant Secretary for Legislative Liaison and Legal Affairs Cluster Atty. Lennard Constantine C. Serrano.

To commemorate the occasion, a mass officiated by Father Virgilio Ojoy OP was held to glorify the Almighty God’s loving presence in the celebration of the Board’s 35th anniversary. Executive Director Maria Teresita D. Lacsamana-Cancio right after delivered her anniversary message highlighting the importance of the 35th Founding Anniversary of the Board and expressed gratitude for the support of the DOLE offices for being with NCMB during tough times. “Of course there are problems along the way, but hindi tayo natatalo ng problema because we have a very functional support system and our clients who continue to trust us. They are there to support us.” ED Lacsamana-Cancio said. She also reminisced how the NCMB grew from being short staffed to having 249 employees but despite it being a small office, its impact on the country’s businesses and labor cannot be overemphasized . Further, she reiterated the role of NCMB in working for peace and understanding. “Para makapag-pasalamat tayo sa kanya [Panginoon], we just have to do our work right. We just have to love our work, and loving our work is expressed by being committed, being passionate and being always aware of the needs and interests of our clients – manggagawa man ‘yan o management.” she added.

Messages of support were also given by the distinguished guests during the event. USEC Egargo Jr. expressed his appreciation to the NCMB staff for its unwavering commitment to public service. He also reminded the importance of NCMB in the maintenance of industrial peace. USEC Egargo Jr. said “There is no substitute for effective extrajudicial settlement of disputes between  management and labor, and through this mediation process, conciliation process, and all of you doing everything you can, lahat [ng] ito ay nagbubunga ng isang napaka-ganda at very strong relationship between management and labor”. 

USEC Bitonio Jr. also extended his message and greetings to the Board. He emphasized that while there are several offices working towards the settlement of labor disputes, it should be remembered that each office is working on a similar goal. “As we gain more experience, we come to realize na lahat ng ito ay related to each other dahil pare-pareho naman tayo ng objectives at ‘yun nga ang nasabi na ang mandato ng NCMB is to become the vanguard of industrial peace. Congratulations sa inyong lahat for the 35th year anniversary.” USEC. Bitonio Jr. said during his speech.

The Labor Chief also imparted an inspiring message during the gathering. He started by commending the NCMB for maintaining its tradition of starting every celebration with a mass. Secretary Laguesma also commended the NCMB for recognizing the pillars of the Board’s creation. He also reminded the Conciliator-Mediators of the Board to exert their best efforts in settling the case before they raise any concerns to the Board’s Executive Director. “Alam natin na hanggang sa ngayon, nandiyan pa rin po ang pandemya kaya kailangan lang po na patuloy tayong tumulong upang makita na mayroon tayong pang-industriyang kapayapaan dito sa ating bansa na makakatulong upang makumbinsi ang mga investors, both local and foreign, na mag-lagak ng karagdagang puhunan.” the Labor Chief said while highlighting the role of NCMB in the country’s economic recovery.

After expressing their messages of appreciation, an audio-visual presentation was played to showcase the accomplishments of the Board for the year 2022. In addition, a separate audio-visual presentation was played to present the contribution and achievements of the past NCMB Administrators/Executive Directors since its creation.

Right after, the winners of the 2022 Theme Writing Contest, Best in Infographics Contest, and Biggest Loser Weight Loss Challenge were announced. Similar in the previous year’s celebration, the Board also recognized the NCMB Loyalty Awardees and the Awardees of the 2021 Program on Awards and Incentives for Service Excellence (PRAISE).

Capping off the activity, a community singing was done led by Conciliator-Mediator Sandra Comla to the tune of Awit ng Barkada entitled ”Awit ng NCMB”.

END/ianne r. go