The Department of Labor and Employment and the Archdiocese of Manila entered into an agreement last week to resolve labor disputes and promote better dialog between workers and employees of Catholic schools, parishes, and other institutions in Manila and nearby areas, the DOLE said in a statement yesterday.

The memorandum of agreement was signed by Secretary Patricia Sto. Tomas and Manila Archbishop Gaudencio Cardinal Rosales on the theme "Promoting Christian Dialogue Through Conciliation-Mediation for Industrial Peace" at the Arzobispado de Manila in Intramuros.

Sto. Tomas said the agreement is a milestone in engaging the social partners like the Catholic church in resolving labor disputes, the DOLE said.

Executive Director Hans Leo Cacdac of the National Conciliation and Mediation Board and Rev. Fr. Erik Adoviso of the Roman Catholic Archbishop of Manila - Archdiocesan Ministry for Labor Concerns witnessed the signing of the agreement.

Labor Undersecretary for Labor Relations Manuel Imson said that the MOA will provide for NCMB-AMLC-RCAM collaboration in resolving labor disputes in Catholic schools, parishes, and other catholic or attached institutions within the Archdiocese of Manila, and suffragan dioceses in Pasig, Cubao, Parañaque, Novaliches, and Caloocan, the statement from DOLE said.

Under the agreement, Imson said that parish priests, alongside with staff, will function actively as part of a pool of voluntary conciliator-mediators to be maintained by the AMLC.

The AMLC will provide conciliation services to Catholic institutions covered by the MOA in any labor dispute. AMLC conciliation may also assist unions and/or workers and management if requested by any of these parties, the DOLE said.

NCMB, for its part, will accredit the AMLC voluntary conciliators after the necessary trainings/seminars, and will conduct training activities for this purpose, it added.*

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