The Marikina City government established a tripartite agreement with the Department of Labor and Employment — National Capital Region (DOLE-NCR) and representatives from local labor groups in an effort to foster stronger relations and improve communication between the government and industries. Marikina Mayor Marcelino “Marcy” Teodoro led the signing ceremony of the memorandum of agreement (MOA) on Wednesday, April 19, at the Pavilion of the Marikina Hotel. The signatories of the MOA included DOLE-NCR Regional Director Atty. Sarah Buena S. Mirasol, Noel S. Flores, president of the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (Marikina Chapter); Ceferino Bata, Jr., president of the Filipino Chinese Chamber of Commerce and Industry (Marikina Chapter); Vice Mayor Marion Andres, the president of Philippine Footwear Federation Incorporated; and Reynaldo Q. Almendras, president of the Workers Alliance in Marikina. Marikina City Mayor Marcelino ‘Marcy’ R. Teodoro and representatives from the labor and private sectors signed a memorandum of agreement (MOA) on Wednesday, April 19, more than a week before the country’s celebration of Labor Day. (MARIKINA CITY LGU / MANILA BULLETIN)
The MOA seeks to create a “tripartite forum for advisement and consultation on labor-related matters.”This includes dialogues on the “formulation and implementation of labor policies, employment programs, and resolutions of labor disputes.” It also aspires to foster unity and cooperation among the labor management, government, and private sectors in Marikina City. As the chairman of the Marikina City Tripartite Industrial Peace Council, Teodoro stressed the need for continued communication among stakeholders to ensure the preservation of jobs for the benefit of the workers, the companies, and the city. “Pangalagaan po natin ‘yong trabaho po. Napakahirap mawalan ng trabaho, pamilya po ang apektado—maliit na bata, asawang hindi malaman kung saan kukuha ng pansaing, kailangan pong maintindihan natin iyong gano’n ho. We’re not talking of policies here, kung ‘di lives of people (Let’s protect our jobs. It’s very difficult to lose one’s job. Families will be affected—children, spouses who will wonder where to get their next meal—we need to understand this. We’re not talking of policies here, but of people’s lives),” Teodoro said. Marikina City Mayor Marcelino ‘Marcy’ R. Teodoro and representatives from the labor and private sectors signed a memorandum of agreement (MOA) on Wednesday, April 19, more than a week before the country’s celebration of Labor Day. (MARIKINA CITY LGU / MANILA BULLETIN)
The mayor emphasized that cooperation beyond an agreement on paper and forging true, binding relationships are essential. “Talagang bayan tayo ng mga manggagawa. Iyon naman ang gusto nating mangyari. Hindi naman natin kinakalimutan iyon na dapat bayan tayo ng mga masasayang manggagawa (We are truly a city for workers. That is what we want to happen. We do not forget that we must become a city of happy laborers),” he added. Marikina City Mayor Marcelino ‘Marcy’ R. Teodoro and representatives from the labor and private sectors signed a memorandum of agreement (MOA) on Wednesday, April 19, more than a week before the country’s celebration of Labor Day. (MARIKINA CITY LGU / MANILA BULLETIN)
Atty. Mirasol of DOLE-NCR vowed to support the Marikina local government’s initiatives for laborers. “We, at DOLE-National Capital Region, assure every one of our unwavering commitment and assistance towards the realization of Marikina’s programs and services to help uplift the social and economic state of their constituents,” Mirasol said. “Rest assured also of the department’s active stand in advocating and participating in various social dialogues with our tripartite partners all in the name of public service and industrial peace,” she added. The signing ceremony was done days before the Labor Day celebrations on May 1.