CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY (PIA)--The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE)-10 embarked on a three-day forum on freedom of association (FOA), which aims to increase awareness of social justice, protection of workers’ rights, various forms of abuse and violence, and encourage involvement in industrial peace.

The undertaking generally aims at cascading FOA principles in support of NorMin Regional Tripartite Industrial Peace Council’s Action Plan FY2023 relative to the President’s Philippine Development Plan for the development of the Tripartite Roadmap on FOA in addressing the findings of the High-Level Tripartite Mission.

Said forum gathered 120 labor union representatives, workers associations, PNP representatives, and Armed Forces representatives from Bukidnon, Misamis Oriental, and Lanao del Norte, including the cities of Malaybalay, Cagayan de Oro, and Iligan, from September 19–21, 2023, as a strategy to spread awareness through communication channels.

In his keynote message, DOLE NorMin Regional Director Lawyer Erwin Aquino highlighted the government’s duties according to International Labour Organization Convention No. 87 for protection of the right to organize and institutionalizing necessary existing mechanisms and program reforms geared towards an inclusive labor justice system.

“The manifestation that one exceeded exercise of one’s right is when somebody is hurt along the way while you exercise that right. In every right, there is a limitation. It is not absolute that you are free to do whatever you want. Always, the exercise of rights is in accordance with the law,” Aquino said.

In closing, Aquino thanked the participants with a positive note that the forum enlightens their general perspective on the issuances, ensuring that the exercise of rights is, above all, respected by the Department.

To generate support for the campaign, relevant topics were discussed by Labor and Employment Officer III Charisse Canios, particularly Executive Order No. 23-23, “Reinforcing and Protecting the FOA and Right to Organize of Workers, Constituting and Inter-Agency Committee to Strengthen Coordination and Expedite the Investigation, Prosecution, and Resolution of Cases for Violation thereof, among others," as well as Administrative Order No. 35-02, otherwise known as “Creating the Inter-Agency Committee on Extra-Legal Killings, Enforced, Disappearances, Torture, and Other Grave Violations of the Right to Life, Liberty, and Security of Persons.”

Through a discussion with DOLE NorMin officials that focused on FOA principles, union leaders, presidents of worker associations, and other stakeholders welcomed the forum.

Substantial inputs gathered during the session include: strengthening inter-agency coordination among government stakeholders; promoting common understanding to intensify the information drive; and emphasizing stakeholders’ limitations in exercising their rights to organizations, including the right to strike.

Voicing full support, Bukidnon Philippine National Police Colonel Arce Yam-oc emphasized the state’s role in sustaining FOA-related issues, saying that these principles are enshrined in the Constitution while respecting the importance of trade unions and labor movements in attaining industrial peace in the region.

“We support both the labor and management sectors even in disputes, especially during strikes. Know that our presence in the government is to strengthen FOA as we recognize its necessity to work together and maintain a sound relationship with both parties,” said Yam-oc.

As a way forward, similar area-based discussions will be conducted on different industry tripartite councils in November 2023. (DOLE-10/PIA-10)