AIMING to create more useful labor policies for the Marikeño laborers, a population close to his heart, Marikina City Mayor Marcelino “Marcy” R. Teodoro, together with the representatives from the labor and private sectors, signed a memorandum of agreement (MOA) recently, over a week before the country’s celebration of Labor Day.

In the MOA signing held at the Pavillon of the Marikina Hotel, Mayor Marcy highlighted the importance of having a good relationship and genuine cooperation between the local government unit (LGU) and the labor and management sectors in promoting industrial peace and harmonious relations among the different sectors, especially in Marikina City which refers to as “Bayan ng Masasayang Manggagawa (Land of Happy Laborers).”

“Tulong-tulong talaga. It’s on that level. Hindi sa papel lang. What is more important is the relationship. 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,” he expressed.

Under the MOA, the parties shall work together in the establishment of “a tripartite forum for advisement and consultation on labor-related matters, particularly in the formulation and implementation of labor policies, in order to foster unity and cooperation among the labor, management, and government sectors in the City of Marikina and resolve labor dispute amicably.”

The tripartite forum is expected to provide a mechanism for the effective formulation and implementation of labor and employment programs and projects in the city.

“Huwag natin bitawan ‘yong pag-uusap natin, ‘tsaka ‘yong relasyon,” said Mayor Marcy, who is also the chairman of the Marikina City Tripartite Industrial Peace Council, expressing gratitude for the continuing support from the parties involved and sharing his hopes for the prioritization of job preservation.

For her part, Atty. Sarah Buena S. Mirasol, the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) Regional Director for the National Capital Region (NCR), assured her agency’s support and commitment towards Marikina LGU’s programs for the laborers.

“We at DOLE-National Capital Region assure everyone 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,” she 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 expressed.

The DOLE NCR regional director noted that the MOA signing was a timely initiative as the celebration of Labor Day on May 1 nears.

“To this end, may this day inspire and remind us that there’s progress in unity and progress that is all realized to each and everyone’s concerted efforts to enrich the lives of Filipino workers,” she ended.

In the MOA signing, the signatories of the business sector are 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); and Vice Mayor Antonio Andres, who also sits as the president of Philippine Footwear Federation Incorporated. The labor sector, on the other hand, is represented by Reynaldo Q. Almendras, president of the Workers Alliance in Marikina.

AUTHOR PROFILE

Arlene Rivera