NCMB Identifies Deliverables for 2006

        As the year 2006 ushers a new beginning, the National Conciliation and Mediation Board once again conducted its annual year-end assessment and corplanning exercises.  Held this year at the Multi-Purpose Hall of the DOLE Executive Building in Manila on January 10 -12, 2006, the three-day activity was designed to assess the performance of the Board and identify commitments and deliverables for the coming year. 

        The activity started with a message from Exec. Director Hans Leo J. Cacdac setting the directions for the conduct of the activity and providing parameters on how the Board can align its programs and plans with that of the Department.  He likewise reiterated his vision for NCMB to be an ISO certified in its 20^th year. 

        As head of the Labor Relations Cluster, Undersecretary Manuel G. Imson was also invited to give an inspirational message to the officials of the Board, as well as its Regional Branches’ Directors.  In his message, he congratulated the Board for a job well done particularly in keeping the number of strikes to only 26 in 2005 which is approximately 5% of the 537 notices handled.

        He also communicated the desire of the Secretary of Labor to see 2006 as an exciting year for the Department and its clients.  

        “Together let us give new meaning to the acronym of DOLE as the Department of Labor and Excitement”, Usec Imson said in his brief message.  “Let us put together our minds so that there could be a greater chance to come up with new ideas that will make our normal tasks more exciting for everybody”, he added.

        In doing so, he instructed the group to exhaust modern technology in record keeping and case filing for a more efficient tracking of cases.  He likewise emphasized the need for the Board to intensify the promotion of voluntary arbitration as the preferred mode of dispute settlement and undertake a comprehensive management education program at the level of NCMB.