Adopting the NCMB 25th anniversary theme "One Team, One Goal", the National Conciliation and Mediation Board - Northern and Central Luzon (NORCEL) cluster held its first ever teambuilding activity hosted by RCMB1 at Puerto de San Juan, San Juan, La Union on May 20-21, 2013.

 

The said activity has long been planned for but failed to materialize. "Finally, after having been unable to execute our plans, we have gotten ourselves together," Deputy Executive Director Shirley M. Pascual said. Director Pascual is also the cluster head for NORCEL.

 

NORCEL is one of NCMB's clusters spanning the area of northern and central Luzon covering regions 1, 2, 3, and Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR).

 

Eight (8) personnel came from CAR, six (6) from RB1, five (5) from RB2, and eleven (11) from RB3 for a total of thirty (30) participants.

 

The activity was ignited with great fun after the simple opening program was done. Each of the member regions made contributions in providing meaningful activities that helped bring out the agency's natural team-playing characteristics.

 

One would notice that during any of the fun-filled events, there weren't any superiors and subordinates, officials, staff, or personnel separated by ranked items and salary grades. Everybody is just a plain person enjoying the day's fun away from the pressures of work.

 

A significant discussion took place on individual and group behavior. Each were given a chance to speak his mind about what to improve, what to remove, and the suggested solutions to absolutely eliminate problems that undermine teamwork in carrying out our duties and responsibilities.

 

Director Pascual, who arrived early morning on May 21, 2013, said: "I'm glad to be able to make it here. It's very nice and I saw for that we are very happy together as a cluster." "It is a moment away from our tedious work and I am hoping that these won't end here and that is why, as early as now, start looking for a possible venue for next year's teambuilding activity," she added to the delight of everyone in the event hall.

 

Two of the participants were able to celebrate their birthdays during the closing ceremonies. Maria Christina "Kiti" O. Mangaliman and Jose "Joe" D. Abanero, both from RB3, were given surprise greetings and separate birthday cakes.

 

After the distribution of certificates, the participants were taken to a short trip to the botanical garden of La Union for a fun with nature before leaving for home.

 

[The NORCEL Cluster expresses its condolences to Maria Teresita L. Cancio who received news of her sister passing away due to some serious illness few minutes into the opening program of the teambuilding activity forcing her to return immediately.]

 

(Lester B. Panem)