In intensifying the thrust to further provide a corps of committed and competent voluntary arbitrators, the National Conciliation and Mediation Board (NCMB) and the Tripartite Voluntary Arbitration Advisory Council (TVAAC) in coordination with the Philippine Association on Voluntary Arbitration, Inc. (PAVA) will hold a two-day General Retooling Seminar for Voluntary Arbitrators on December 1-2, 2005 at the Century Park Hotel, Malate, Manila.
The General Retooling Seminar was conceived through TVAAC Resolution No. 1 series of 2005, amending the 1999 Revised Guidelines in the Accreditation and Delisting of Voluntary Arbitrators to address the need for the availability of a committed, professional and competent voluntary arbitrator crucial to the success of the voluntary arbitration program. As such, voluntary arbitrators must endeavor to provide effective and efficient service to labor and management not only through case handling but also through involvement in the advocacy of voluntary modes of prevention and settlement of labor disputes. To carry out this objective, TVAAC Resolution No. 1 likewise included innovations that will make the system responsive to the need of the modern day industrial relations.
The theme of the seminar, “Reinventing Voluntary Arbitration as a Significant Component of ADR” aims to acquire the commitment of voluntary arbitrators as reassuring partners of labor and management who can dispense labor justice in the most effective and efficient manner. Likewise, the program aims to keep voluntary arbitrators abreast with the current principles, practices and developments that are relevant in the field of arbitration practice.
Secretary Patricia A. Sto. Tomas will be the keynote speaker to expound on the theme. Other prominent speakers include NCMB Executive Director Hans Leo J. Cacdac (Updates on Voluntary Arbitration and in Other Fields of ADR) and PAVA President Atty. Francis V. Sobreviñas (Update on Jurisprudence). Former Secretary of Labor Atty. Bienvenido E. Laguesma will provide an in-depth discussion on the Art of Conciliation-Mediation in the context of Arbitration. Simulation workshop on mediation will follow with Supreme Court Assistant Administrator and Public Information Office Chief Atty. Ismael G. Khan, Jr. as workshop reactor. The Honorable Court of Appeals Associate Justice Vicente S.E. Veloso will have a discussion on Decision Writing and Other Related Issues on Jurisdiction. A workshop on decision-making will follow to be facilitated by the OSG Task Force on Appealed Voluntary Arbitration Cases.
This two-day MCLE accredited seminar, will be followed with series of Regular Retooling Seminar, which will be conducted by service providers that will be accredited by the Board early next year. This seminar will be the first activity of the NCMB after having been accredited by the Supreme Court as MCLE provider. - Tess Kinsy Fulay