The National Conciliation and Mediation Board Regional Branch No. 1 had the chance to publicly inform about its programs and services when it became guest to the “Ammuentayo” radio program at DZNL Aksyon Radyo, Pagdalagan, City of San Fernando, La Union last July 18, 2013.

 

“It was really a great opportunity to have been given the chance to utilize the broadcast media in furthering the programs of the Board,” OIC Director Helena R. Flores said. “This is the second time we have had this kind of thing but this time around, it was an exclusive invitation,” she added.

 

Director Flores joined PIA Regional Office 1 representative and guest anchor Miriam P. Aquino together with DZNL news director Rico Valdez and anchorman Ador Dacanay.

 

“The NCMB is an attached agency of the Department of Labor & Employment created under Executive Order No. 26. Since its creation in 1988, NCMB tapered the onslaught of industrial strikes providing the country with sustainable economic improvements through the years,” Flores stated.

 

“With an eye upon organized establishments or unionized companies, NCMB has, in all this time, kept a close watch on them and made sure that labor disputes have to be settled peacefully,” Flores added.

 

When asked about on how the system works, Flores emphasized the importance of alternative dispute resolution systems, especially conciliation and mediation processes. “While we are not given the authority to decide on cases, we are given the privilege to exhaust conciliation- mediation proceedings to lead parties into a binding agreement.”

 

“In accordance to one of the 22-point labor agenda of President Aquino, Labor Secretary Baldoz institutionalized the Single Entry Approach (SEnA) Program. For almost a couple of years now, this has effectively assisted employees, even from small enterprises, in providing solutions to their problems regarding non-payment of wages, overtime pays and night-shift differentials, underpayment of salaries, non-remittance of mandatory deductions, and illegal dismissal,” she added.

 

Before the end of the program, Director Flores encouraged the public to bring their concerns to the Branch or to any concerned DOLE agency regarding any of their employment issues for resolution and settlement.

   

The said radio program is held every Thursday, 4-5 PM spearheaded by the Philippine Information Agency Regional Office 1 with the drive for extensive information dissemination of the various national government agencies’ programs and services.

 

(Lester B. Panem)