DOLE chief leads labor, mgmt forum in NorMin

By Jasper Marie Rucat CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY

– Labor Sec. Bienvenido

Laguesma visited Northern Mindanao and held a Labor and Management Forum to discuss issues and concerns regarding labor and management sectors in the region at the Limketkai Luxe Hotel, here, on May 11.

“It is important to listen to the positions, justifications, and comments of our social partners, the labor and employment sectors,” Laguesma said.

He added that the goal is to come up with a beneficial solution or formula that will guarantee continuity of employment, the creation of more opportunities for workers in the region, and the stability and continued operation of companies that will provide benefits and other better conditions of employment.

One of the issues raised by the labor sector and proposed by Nicandro Borja of the Associated Labor UnionTrade Union Congress of the Philippines (ALU-TUCP) was the strengthening of tenure security.

Meanwhile, Teresita Hadman of the National Federation of Labor UnionsKilusang Mayo Uno also proposed the abolition of contracting and subcontracting arrangements.

Laguesma reiterated that security of tenure is initiated under Section 3 of Article 13 of the Philippine Constitution and that there is an existing guideline on contracting and subcontracting arrangements under Department Order 174.

"We have heard complaints against abuses; kinikilala nang ating batas paggawa ang legitimate contracting and subcontracting, pero hindi pinahihintulutan ang abuses (our labor law recognizes legitimate contracting and subcontracting, but it does not allow abuses)," he said.

Further, he explained that employers should not tolerate these abuses because they have a big stake in good management and labor relationships.

"You have a stake in promoting and maintaining industrial peace," he said to the management sector.

As to the proposed increase in wages, Secretary Laguesma said, “We are not against an increase in wages, we are not also saying we will immediately push for that because it needs to be further studied."

He explained that as the country eased restrictions from Covid-19, companies were also still in recovery mode.

DOLE, he said, is a consultative and advisory body that provides technical input.

“The regional tripartite wages and productivity board (RTWPB) is not a perfect mechanism, but it is the existing mechanism that can actually approximate a balance so that we can sustain, address the wage of the workers without endangering continued operations of the company, and provide for expansion and a reasonable return on investment that can be earmarked for more expansion, which can mean more jobs,” the Secretary said.

Meanwhile, the management sector raised concerns about the inclusion of employees’ salaries and benefits in the computation of value added tax (VAT) of 12% for legitimate labor contractors and retirement pay concerns. (JMOR | PIA-10)

Wed-Thu, May 17-18, 2023

AS IT HAPPENS, WHERE IT HAPPENS

Patriotism to PH

OROMIND PUBLISHING INC. Publisher

GERRY J. CAÑO, PHD President

MARJUNE MILLIONES VP for Administration

JOHN M. DEL BANDO VP for Operations

LANI M. VALLIDO VP for Sales and Marketing

JOHN M. DEL BANDO Editor-in-Chief

JIGGER JERUSALEM Associate Editor

Jack Biantan sports editor

Franck Dick Rosete Correspondent

URIEL QUILINGUING Editorial Consultant

Domingo J. Marron Jr. Social Media

Jack Biantan Marketing Manager for mindanao

Sugar maandig MITZILIE P. ANGA Account Executives for mindanao

MAHVIC C. NATIVIDAD RUBY M. AGUSTIN Account Executives johnny talipan lumod Lay-out Artist

Noel Armodia Production Head

ATTY. RAMIL G. GABAO

ATTY. EDDIE C. CUARESMA

ATTY. MARINEL JUNE S. PALER Legal

UNIT 818, CITYLAND HERRERA

TOWER, VA RUFINO COR

VALERO ST. SALCEDO VILLAGE

MAKATI CITY 1227

Manila Office

2F CONSORTIUM BLDG.

CORRALES EXT. CAGAYAN DE

ORO CITY 9000

Mobile #: 0905 088 4778

0961 688 4888

Head Office

(2nd of 2 parts)

“Ang magandang balita, ang grupo ni Mr. Manny Pangilinan ay nag-o-offer ng libreng electrical audit. Kausap ko sila kanina. Siguro sa Monday, magkakaroon na kami ng first meeting,” Bautista was quoted as saying in a radio interview on May 2.

Gov't support

Even before the Covid-19 pandemic emerged, MVP has already been supportive of the government in crafting initiatives that are geared towards nation-building.

When Typhoon Odette hit Visayas and Mindanao in December 2021, companies under the MVP Group extended assistance to affected families in the form of power service restoration through Meralco, as well as provided relief packages and various assistance through other companies under the MVP Group.

He also supported the government’s goal towards digitalization and achieving food security.

Earlier this year, through Metro Pacific Investments Corp., the group acquired a 34.76-percent stake in Axelum Resources Corporation as well as a controlling stake in The Laguna Creamery Inc. The twin investments form part of MVP’s goal and priority “to feed our people first,” and support the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UN SDGs) Goal 2, which aims to end hunger, achieve food security, improve nutrition and promote sustainable agriculture.

MPIC’s subsidiaries have also embraced the digitalization of their existing operations and innovative initiatives that encapsulate the group’s overall goal to become a leader in sustaining the country’s expanding digital landscape.

According to MVP, the role of the private sector is to take the lead in driving the digitalization plans of the country together with the government—and pouring investments into infrastructure and manpower while espousing digital advancement “will continuously enable us to provide the convenience and accessibility Filipinos deserve.”

His support through his various businesses is a clear definition of patriotism, because not only will it benefit the government’s goals and initiatives, but ultimately, for the public that it serves. (PNA)