The Coconut Grove Beach Resort packed almost a hundred participants within its open, breezy hall when the Ilocos Region Conflict Administration and Resolution Ensemble (I-CARE), Incorporated, together with the National Conciliation and Mediation Board Regional Branch No. 1, conducted this year's area-wide seminar on April 30, 2013.

 

"I am so glad to see how you have been continually supporting the programs of the Board and the I-CARE," RCMB1 OIC Director Helena R. Flores said in her opening words.

 

Director Flores was addressing a total of 99 participants representing 49 companies and at least seven (7) areas of industries in the region, namely: manufacturing (28), academe (20), electricity (17), hospital (15), hotel and restaurant (7), banking and finance (1), and other services (11).

 

The said seminar was with the theme "Worker and Workplace Enhancement for Sustained Industrial Peace." It was focused in educating the participants on worker benefits through inviting Mr. Gil Datayan and Ms. Josephine Abril of the Employees' Compensation Commission and Social Security System, respectively.

 

It was evidently shown that a lot of concerns were prevailing within the companies when a string of questions were brought out during the open forum that the speakers have gladly addressed and more than willing to provide solutions and alternatives regarding their specific concerns.

 

"Labor is one of the major blocks needed to build a progressive industry, or an economy at large. That being said, going beyond personal pleasure in one's labor, perfection in the work, or at least going to that direction, is diversely affected by things such as compensation and other financial benefits, organisation of work and work activities, training, health, safety and well-being, and working time among others," Flores added.

 

Occupational safety and health standards and Team Sual Corporation best safety and health practices were discussed and showcased, respectively, by Mr. Cristopher D. Abata, OSH Officer at Sual Power Plant.

 

"Our people are our most important resource," Abata said. "As such, occupational safety and health is the primary consideration in our business strategies."

 

"We hold each employee and contractor accountable for integrating safety, health and environmental considerations in their work activities," Abata emphasized.

Team Sual Corporation was awarded the 2012 Corporate Safety Excellence Award for attaining 3, 072, 399.45 SAFE MAN HOURS without LTA from December 31, 2009 to October 31, 2012. More importantly, it marked its 10 million safe man hours without lost time accident for the period May 2001 to August 2012 and was awarded the Safety Excellence award last November 22, 2012 by the Safety Organization of the Philippines (SOPI), Incorporated.

"It is to the best interest of our member companies that we share each other's best practices that we may help, in one way or another, our comrades in the industry in maintaining safe and healthy working conditions," I-CARE president Ariel Gapasin said.

 

"I encourage you, our fellow member companies, to join this year's 2013 Search for Outstanding LMC and Best Enterprise-Based Dispute Resolution System that the NCMB is sponsoring," he added.

 

Mr. Gapasin, together with all but one of the incumbent officers of the association, were re-elected to their respective positions during the reorganizational meeting held the same day. Engr. Leonora Quarte was elected to the vacant position of VP for Labor and Ms. Leilani Sanidad replaced Mr. Richard Caspillan as the Press Relations Officer, who are both from Saint Louis College. The new set of officers are:

 

President:	Mr. Ariel V. Gapasin
Vice-President for Labor:	Engr. Leonora Quarte
Vice-President for Management:	Victoria M. Busque
Secretary:	Gloria J. Dulce
Assistant Secretary:	Teresita P. Castro
Treasurer:	Gliceria A. Avelino
Auditor:	Marylyn M. Ramil
Press Relations Officer:	Leilani Sanidad

DOLE Regional Director Grace Y. Ursua inducted the new set of officers for a three-year term. "I congratulate all of you for actively participating in these enhancement seminars and for continuously supporting your association in furthering industrial peace within our region," Ursua said.

 

DOLE Assistant Regional Director Atty. Florence Marie G. Ulep also discussed to the participants the Magna Carta of Women, DOLE DO 18-A and the Kasambahay Law. Atty. Aurora Sanglay, one of the region's accredited voluntary arbitrators, shared recent labor jurisprudence that helps shed light to the issues and concerns surrounding the country's labor and industry.

 

Director Flores said: "The end in view is always industrial peace, a sustainable one and always improving. do that is to cultivate a mutualistic relationship and eliminate harm from either side and that through these, we could have a good shot at the 2013 Search for Best Practices on Workplace Harmony and Productivity."

 

(Lester B. Panem)