The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), Region 9 in coordination with the Regional Tripartite Industrial Peace Council (RTIPC) and the Industry Tripartite Councils (ITCs) conducted an Industry- Wide Joint Assessment (IJA) or Group Assessment on September 19, 2014 at Lantaka Hotel by the Sea, Zamboanga City with 252 participants coming from the different industries and other partners from both the government and private sectors.

RD Sisinio B. Cano expressed his gratitude to all partners and participating companies/establishments for gracing the activity and conveyed the message of Secretary Rosalinda Dimapilis- Baldoz. He said," we have already identified the establishments/companies that are compliant of our Labor Laws Compliance System (LLCS) through the assessment made by our Labor Compliance Officers (LLCOs) and after the series of validation by the Tripartite Certification Committee (TCC) members, the performing companies complying the General Labor Standards & Occupational Safety Standards will be given the appropriate certificates of compliance.

For that, today's affair will include recognition of the companies that are compliant and those with gaps and non-conformances to the existing Labor Standards that are committed to comply in a certain period of time". He added that "the ITC Officers are also present to help their respective industry to be compliant and to be updated of the existing issuances, because part of our activity today will be learning sessions which will be handled by our staff on behalf of the directors of the Bureau of Working Conditions (BWC), Occupational Safety and Health Center (OSHC), and Employees' Compensation Commission (ECC).

There were 115 establishments which were compliant to both General Labor Standards (GLS) and Occupational Safety and Health Standards (OSHS), 8 establishments complied with GLS only and 86 establishments were compliant with OSH alone. Four establishments received the Tripartite Certificate of Compliance with Labor Standards (TCCLS) and the Child Labor- Free Establishments, namely; Western Mindanao Power Corp., Petron Corp. Zambo. Depot , Zamsureco I and Permex Producer and Exporter Corp. which received the award at plant site in the presence of the union Officers and members , regularized workers, and Regional Coordinating Committee (RCC) members. During the Assessment workshop eleven establishments were immediately evaluated by the assigned LLCOs and have received the COCs.

On the other hand, the message of City Mayor Ma. Isabelle G. Climaco, delivered by Ms. Jane C. Bascar, Chief , Human Resource Management Office, highlighted the economic situation of Zamboanga City. She quoted "the city as the center of trade, commerce, industry, employment and education in Zamboanga Peninsula, will support our 12 sardines' producers as distinct as we are the sardines' capital of the country aside from the Special Economic Zone. We account for 50% of the total economic output of ZamPen making it the largest employment generator in the region." The Mayor also thanked the DOLE9 for conducting the regional activity in the City, as it will likewise contribution its economic growth.

During the Learning Sessions, the topic on Salient Features of the Labor Laws Compliance System was presented by OIC-ARD Albert E. Gutib. He discussed the background, the major provisions of the Labor Laws Compliance System, the modes of assessment such as the Joint Assessment, Compliance Visit and Occupational Safety and Health, and its characteristics and processes. He also emphasized the recognition of compliant establishments, through the Department's Incentivizing Compliance Program (ICP) and encouraged attendees to apply and avail of its incentives.

Engr. Wesley D. Tan, presented the topic on Occupational Safety and Health Programs to include but not limited to its scope & components relative to the LLCS implementation, other OSH related issuances, and its principles and process of implementation.

Employees Compensation Program (ECP) was handled by Ms. Cerna I. Ahmad, Regional Info. Officer and presented the Trends in employee's compensation Claims and contribution with emphasis on Increase of EC benefits without additional contribution from the employer.

Engr. George G. Ledesma, the RTIPC V-Chair for Management and TCC member who also took his oath as EIB member after renewal, delivered his closing message. He thanked the DOLE for making the private sector as a regular partner in all program implementation as part of the public-private partnership. He also expressed appreciation to DOLE for instituting transparency in the Department. He added that he closely worked with the DOLE to ensure that programs are delivered fairly and equitably to the clients. Lastly, he urged the recipients of the Certificates to apply for ICP and vie for the Secretary's award.

Click here to view/download the list of establishments.

Reported by Miraflor J. Casanes, DOLE 9- TSSD