ZAMBOANGA CITY – 300 representatives coming from the management, labor sector and government agencies participated in the biggest gathering of Industrial Tripartite Councils (ITCs) in Zamboanga Peninsula Region, organized by the Department of Labor and Employment Regional Office No. 09 (DOLE 9).

DOLE 9 spearheaded the 2nd Regional ITC Summit on December 7, 2018 at the Marcian Hotel Convention Center, Governor Camins Road, Zamboanga City where 114 participants represented management; 117 from the labor sector, 69 from the government sector and members of the DOLE 9 Regional Coordinating Council.

Regional Director Ofelia B. Domingo said in her welcome speech that the ITC Summit with the theme, “Tripartism in the 21st Century”, aims to provide up to date information on principles and strategies in improving the way management and workers conduct social dialogue more so in the current generation where new challenges arise.

A Keynote Speech was delivered by DOLE Undersecretary Renato L. Ebarle which detailed the role of social dialogue and tripartism in dealing with workplace issues and concerns in this age of Generation Z. He further shared the thrust of this administration on facilitating employment thru the Build, Build, Build program and the war on contractualization

“Congratulations to the various industry tripartite councils serving as a bridge to maintain harmonious working relationship and advance the welfare and total rewards to employees. I am confident that through this partnership, a lot can be accomplished,” he said.

To further expound on the theme, former DOLE Undersecretary, Atty. Josephus Jimenez shared his expertise on Emerging Trends on Philippine Labor Relations in the VUCA (Volatile, Unpredictable, Complex and Ambiguous) FIDS (Fast, Intense, Digital Sneaky) World of Work.

The summit also served as an avenue to recognize outstanding performance and contribution of employers in the private sector such as the Family Welfare Program. Unions with collective bargaining agreements, establishments with Zero Accident, Highest Job Placement, and those Employing PWDs were given due recognition.

Likewise, 15 establishments implementing the Family Welfare Dimensions were awarded during the 1st Search for the Best Family Welfare Practices at the Workplace.

The event also involved the Launching of the “DOLE 9 Portal” which houses DOLE’s online services along other features such as Frequently Asked Questions powered by Chat Bot, Quality Management System, Job Fair Schedules among others and can be accessed thru www.dole9portal.com.

An audio-visual presentation on the DOLE’s imitative to help workers affected by the closed fishing season dubbed as Project HOPE (Helping Other Prosper Economically) was shown to the audience. This was followed by the signing of a Memorandum of Agreement for the project’s livelihood component between DOLE, LGU-Zamboanga City, Department of Trade and Industry, ZAMBOECOZONE, Public Employment Service Office, Office of the City Agriculturist and WMSU College of Agriculture.

Capping the event is the Project Angel Tree pledging of commitment from the private companies and partners to support and patronize DOLE assisted livelihood projects.

Total sales of 16,465.00 was generated and total placed order at P25,000.00 for lanterns, paintings, herbal products and handicrafts. END/With reports from Technical Support & Services Division