ZAMBOANGA CITY – The Department of Labor and Employment Regional Office 9 (DOLE 9) conducted the 3rd Industry Tripartite Council (ITC) Summit on December 10, 2019 at the Palacio Del Sur, Zamboanga City.

With the theme “Mental Health Awareness: Key to Productivity and Stable Workplace Relations”, the one-day summit emphasized the importance of Mental Health, the role it plays in employees’ lives, ways to nurture it and its contribution to a harmonious workplace and increased productivity.
Attended by some 289 representatives both from the management, labor and government sector, the summit aims to strengthen tripartism in the Region through learning sessions and active engagement between ITC members from various industries.

DOLE Assistant Secretary Benjo Santos M. Benavidez delivered the Keynote Speech commending the active participation and cooperation of the different ITCs in activities hosted by DOLE. He mentioned that for tripartism to flourish and strengthen, ITCs must exhibit a strong commitment and a sense of responsibility.

Dr. Miriam P. Cue, Chairperson of the PRC Board of Psychology discussed the concept of Mental Health Awareness focusing on its importance, its role in the workplace and what policies companies can come up with to help improve the mental health.

Outstanding establishments and partners were also awarded during the summit in recognition of their support to DOLE’s programs and services.

DOLE 9 Regional Director Ofelia B. Domingo said that the summit also focuses on the ITCs corporate social responsibility as it has done every year. Persons with Disabilities from the Area Vocational Rehabilitation Center (AVRC) III were the target beneficiaries for the CSR activity where a booth was set up to provide information to summit participants and encourage them to avail products and services.