Question & AnswerQ&A (EXECUTIVE ORDER NO. 251)
The main purpose of Executive Order No. 251 is to amend certain sections of Executive Order No. 126 dated January 30, 1987, to make the reorganization of the Department of Labor and Employment more responsive to national economic recovery demands and to promote efficiency and effectiveness in public service delivery.
The Tripartite Voluntary Arbitration Advisory Council was created and attached to the National Conciliation and Mediation Board to advise on the promotion of voluntary arbitration as a preferred mode of dispute settlement.
The council consists of the Administrator of the National Conciliation and Mediation Board as Chairman, one government member, two members representing labor, and two members representing management, all appointed by the President for a three-year term and serving without compensation.
The Office of the Secretary shall consist of the Secretary and immediate staff, and includes a Joint RP-US Labor Committee Staff Unit that provides technical services to the Philippine panel under the RP-US Base Labor Agreement and other special projects, headed by a Head Executive Assistant assisted by five staff assistants.
The retained bureaus include: Bureau of Local Employment; Bureau of Women and Minors (renamed as Bureau of Women and Young Workers); Bureau of Rural Workers; Bureau of Labor Relations; and Bureau of Working Conditions.
The Institute for Labor Studies undertakes research and studies in labor and manpower policy, reviews existing legislation, develops approaches to promote labor-management relations, collaborates with national agencies, and publishes research studies, among other functions.
The Board absorbed conciliation, mediation, and voluntary arbitration functions from the Bureau of Labor Relations and is responsible for policy formulation, preventive mediation, coordination with other sectors, voluntary arbitration administration, counseling, and technical supervision among others.
Conciliators-mediators must have at least three years of experience in handling labor relations and are appointed by the Secretary of Labor and Employment.
The Board has its main office in Metropolitan Manila headed by an Administrator, establishes branches in each administrative region, each headed by an Executive Conciliator-Mediator, with as many conciliators-mediators as necessary for effective operation.
Regional Offices implement laws, policies, plans, and programs of the Department; provide efficient services; coordinate with other regional offices and local government units; and perform other functions as assigned by the Secretary.