04/06/2026
๐ฆ๐ฒ๐ฐ. ๐ง๐ผ๐น๐ฒ๐ป๐๐ถ๐ป๐ผ ๐๐ถ๐๐ถ๐๐ ๐ก๐๐ฅ๐, ๐ฒ๐
๐ฝ๐ฟ๐ฒ๐๐๐ฒ๐ ๐ณ๐๐น๐น ๐๐๐ฝ๐ฝ๐ผ๐ฟ๐ ๐๐ผ ๐ฎ๐ด๐ฒ๐ป๐ฐ๐ ๐ฝ๐น๐ฎ๐ป๐
QUEZON CITYโIn a bid to strengthen labor relations and streamline institutional efficiency, Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) Secretary Francis N. Tolentino paid a highly consequential visit to the National Labor Relations Commission (NLRC) Main Office on June 4, 2026.
The official visit served as a platform for the new Labor Chief to share his vision, identify and address concerns that will help the NLRC upgrade its operations and services to its clientele.
The Secretary opened the discussion on the administrationโs commitment to protecting workersโ right to organize and collective bargaining in accordance with the International Labour Organization Convention, stressing the need to publicly address any related issues.
The Secretary also expressed his full support to the completion of construction of the new NLRC building located at the Occupational Safety and Health Center Compound; filling out vacant positions of Presiding Commissioners, Commissioner, and Labor Arbiters; and the requested additional plantilla positions for Sheriffs and information technology (IT) staff.
In line with this, Secretary Tolentino shared that the DOLE has recently formed partnership with the Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Maynila to engage IT and Law students for DOLE internship through the Government Internship Program. He added his hopes to link with more schools in Metro Manila to attract more โbright and talentedโ young people to the program.
Additionally, he talked about his plan for the creation of a National Academy for Labor Justice to provide training and refresher courses for incumbent and incoming Labor Arbiters and Commissioners.
โ[This initiative is] not overhauling the existing, functioning, well-oiled system but adding some 2 percent, 3 percent of innovation, which is part of my DNA, without disrupting what you are doing and, hopefully, engage you in making the NLRC one of the leveled up quasi-judicial bodies in our country,โ he added.
The Secretary also talked about the need to increase the NLRCโs visibility on social media and appoint a spokesperson to ensure clear, accurate, and swift communication with the public and the media.
Plans for setting up more regional satellite offices in Luzon, particularly in Region III and IV, were also put on the table to bring NLRC services closer to the people and lessen the burden of workers traveling from far areas.
โChanges within institutions cannot be done overnightโฆ But we hope we can move as one, in single cadence, in making sure that what you are doing is what the Filipinos should expect and secure,โ the Secretary said.
NLRC Chairperson Grace E. Maniquiz-Tan thanked the Secretary for the visit and assured him that the Commission will take the next steps and prepare the necessary documents to facilitate the implementation of the plans discussed.
Presiding Commissioners and Commissioners from the First to the Eighth Divisions, Executive Labor Arbiter and selected Labor Arbiters from the National Capital Region Arbitration Branch, and other officials were present during the activity.
OIC-Undersecretary Gerard A. Mosquera and Assistant Secretary Catherine L. Parado of the DOLEโs Labor Relations, Policy and International Affairs Cluster also joined the Secretary during the official visit.