NCMB’s 18 Years of Public Service

 

Everybody deserves a pat in the back as the National Conciliation and Mediation Board celebrated its 18^th Founding Anniversary last January 4, 2006.

 

The Board prepared a simple yet memorable celebration.  A thanksgiving mass was held and officiated by Father Asis Bajao as a symbol of gratitude for the success accorded to NCMB which was made possible by the support of the men and women that comprised the Board, the DOLE leadership, its social partners, as well as the various organizations and institutions involved in the promotion of industrial peace. 

 

The event was graced by no less than the first NCMB Administrator and former Labor Secretary Bienvenido E. Laguesma.  He narrated how the Board started with a meager budget of P5,000.00 for its operating expenses and how it eventually excelled in the promotion of industrial peace by reducing the number of work stoppages nationwide.  And it is for this reason, that the Board was given recognition by different award-giving bodies.  Among these were the Special Presidential Award given by President Corazon C. Aquino in 1989 and the Sikap Gawa Industrial Peace Award by the Bishops-Businessmen’s Conference.  The Board was also cited by then Senator Blas Ople as one of the centers of excellence in government. 

 

With these achievements, he was ever grateful to the father of NCMB, former Labor Secretary and now Senate President Franklin Drilon.  He likewise reminded the officials and staff of NCMB not to rest on its laurels and be complacent of its accomplishments.  Instead, he encouraged the group to strive for more and do better in the promotion of its various programs.

 

Other guests who graced the occasion were the Board’s previous Executive Directors, Atty. Buenaventura C. Magsalin and Atty. Rolando Rico C. Olalia,   other former officials like Mr. Angel A. Ancheta and some DOLE officials.  The celebration was also made complete by the presence of representatives from labor and management.  The management group was represented by ECOP’s Director General Atty. Vicente Leogardo Jr. while the labor sector was represented by Director Roy F. Oliveros of DBP who emphasized that peace is progress.

 

A slide presentation was shown exhibiting the roots of the Board and its different achievements through its 18 years of existence.  It showcased the feat of NCMB in carrying out its flagship programs on conciliation and mediation, labor management cooperation and voluntary arbitration. 

 

NCMB’s present Administrator Hans Leo J. Cacdac, on his part, acknowledged the presence of his forerunners.  He assured the previous leaderships that he will continue the tasks started by them.  Though, he foresees the coming years to be tough, he endeavors to carry out the Board’s mandate and make NCMB the frontrunner in the field of labor relations.  He likewise envisions NCMB to be an ISO certified before its 20^th anniversary celebration.

 

            The celebration was also replicated in the regional branches of the Board.