Additional NLRC division proposed
TWO lawmakers are pushing for the creation of an additional division in the National Labor Relations Commission (NLRC) to improve its accomplishment rate in resolving labor-related disputes.
House Resolution 4958 authors Davao City Rep. Paolo Duterte and Benguet Rep. Eric Yap said establishing an additional division in the NLRC is “in support of its mission to resolve labor disputes in the fairest, quickest, least expensive and most effective way possible.”
Yap and Duterte proposed that the divisions in the NLRC be increased from eight to nine.
As provided under the Labor Code, the NLRC’s first to sixth divisions are located in Metro Manila, while the seventh is based in Cebu, and the eighth in Cagayan de Oro. Under HB 4958, the additional ninth division will be located in Davao to handle cases in Mindanao.
The bill also provides for the addition of three NLRC commissioners, bringing the total number of the commission’s members to 27.
According to its 2021 Performance Report, the NLRC maintained a high deposition rate and significantly reduced the number of its pending cases. The Commission posted an overall output of 32,433 cases for compulsory arbitration of which 24,262 are original cases from the Regional Arbitration Branches (RABs) and 8,171 are appealed cases from the Commission Proper.
Of the NLRC’s 98 percent overall target, the RABs and the Commission Proper were able to dispose of 27,754, which translates into an 86 percent accomplishment rate.
