28/08/2024
The National Labor Relations Commission En Banc led by Hon. Grace E. Maniquiz-Tan conducted its regular session in Grand Summit Hotel, General Santos City last August 15, 2024 to August 16, 2024. Together with the Chairperson, Presiding Commissioners, Commissioners, Executive Clerks of Court of different divisions, Directors and Technical Working Group of NLRC came to General Santos City being the venue of the said activity.
As provided in the Labor Code of the Philippines, as amended, the Commission may sit en banc for the purpose of promulgating rules and regulations governing the disposition of cases and formulating policies affecting its administration and operation. The En Banc session also aims to engage with regional stakeholders and address the challenges faced by both employees and employers nationwide.
In their 2-day session, the Commission has deliberated and agreed on various significant matters. This includes policy reviews and implementation of new initiatives aimed at improving the efficiency and effectiveness of labor dispute resolution. One of the discussions of the En Banc focused on the accessibility of NLRC Services to workers in remote areas, ensuring that the Commission is responsive to the need of all sectors of the society.
Chairperson Maniquiz-Tan together with Presiding Commissioners and Commissioners visited NLRC SRAB XII, General Santos City office last August 16, 2024. Dubbed as RAB Visitation, the executives of NLRC visited Regional Arbitration Branches/Sub-Regional Arbitration Branches to personally know the situation in RABs/SRABs, to gather ideas about the distinct labor challenges workers/employers encounter and for them to determine what policies and initiatives they could intervene to assist the regional offices in the speedy resolution and disposition of labor cases. The officers and employees of NLRC SRAB XII Gensan gladly and warmly welcomed the NLRC Execs.
In 50 years, since the founding of NLRC, it was the first time that NLRC Region 12 hosted NLRC En Banc. Chairperson Maniquiz-Tan underscored that NLRC’s presence in Gensan reflected its dedication to ensure accessibility and attentiveness to the needs of workers and employer across the country. Furthermore, the Chairperson noted that holding the session in General Santos City demonstrated the Commission’s commitment to engage with regions outside Metro Manila.
Hon. Jocelyn A. Vasallo, the Executive Labor Arbiter of NLRC RAB XII took the challenge in hosting the En Banc Session. With the guidance of NLRC Eight Division and with the assistance also of NLRC RAB XI, the hosting went well as planned.