DOLE strengthens Boracay labor tripartite council

The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE)  and the Boracay Regional Tripartite Wages and Productivity Board (RTWPB) has strengthened the Boracay Industry Tripartite Council (ITC) by conducting a two-day training orientation for 40 general managers, human resource managers, and safety officers from hotels and restaurants on the island.   According to a report by DOLE Region 6 director Ponciano Ligutom, the training-orientation focused on the DOLE's service quality program for the tourism, hotel and restaurant industry in Boracay.   The training-orientation was done to boost job opportunities in the island.   Labor Secretary Rosalinda Baldoz said the move also seeks to increase workers’ employability, enhance productivity, and improve service quality.   “I am pleased that our private sector partners and Malay, the local government that governs Boracay, have realized the value of social dialogue and convergence through the ITC,” Baldoz said.   The Labor official added that a stronger Boracay ITC will allow tourism stakeholders to address concerns through social dialogue, and create a favorable investment climate in the tourist hotspot.   “Through the strengthened ITC, we are making various government programs and services, not just DOLE’s, accessible and available to the sector and to the entire community using the concept of convergence,” said Ligutom.   Other ways of strengthening the ITC   During the training-orientation, Ligutom proposed the implementation of several DOLE programs, such as the Single Entry Approach or SEnA to settle labor disputes in the sector more efficiently, to further strengthen the ITC and expand its functions.   Ligutom also explained the proposed Pier to Port, or P2P program, seeks to bring service quality and productivity programs to jeepney and tricycle drivers, tour-guides, airport porters, boatmen, pasalubong center personnel, and other key players in the Boracay tourism industry.   He added that they will be conducting training and capacity-building programs on official time for the staff of tourism establishments, to allay income loss.   “The service quality and productivity training and other capacity-building programs will boost the employability of local workers in tourism marketing and promotions; transportation, landing and passenger handling; accommodation; food and beverage; entertainment; and other tourism service businesses,” he said.   Due to the lack of skills among local workers, Ligutom noted most workers in the island come from other places and not from Malay or other neighboring towns.   He suggested that providing skills training can also improve the employability of homegrown workers.   Ligutom revealed plans to conduct a strategic planning session with the Malay town in March. The session would allow them to lay down future plans for the adoption of a voluntary code of good practices, and sustain the operation of the Boracay ITC. —Amanda Lago/VS, GMA News