(UPDATE) THE Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), workers, and employers have agreed to coordinate in protecting jobs and keeping businesses afloat as fuel costs surge.
During the meeting of the National Tripartite Industrial Peace Council (NTIPC) early this week in Quezon City, government, labor, and management agreed on a unified response to preserve employment, stabilize operations, and shield workers from the fallout of rising oil prices.
DOLE Officer-in-Charge Benedicto Ernesto Bitonio Jr. said that at the core of the agreement is the commitment to keep Filipinos employed while ensuring businesses remain viable.
He urged employers to bring workers into decision-making, stressing that frontline employees can deliver fast, practical solutions on the ground.
The NTIPC identified transport, logistics, and other energy-intensive sectors as most vulnerable to oil price shocks.
Bitonio said the labor department will ramp up emergency employment, livelihood aid, and social protection programs for affected workers.
"Targeted assistance for transport workers will be rolled out with the Department of Transportation (DOTr), the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB), and local governments," added Bitonio.
The council also reviewed labor market priorities under the Labor and Employment Plan and pushed to strengthen Freedom of Association (FOA) to boost worker representation.
New industry councils for emerging sectors, stricter anti-violence and anti-harassment policies, and faster, coordinated responses to economic shocks are also being discussed.
Discussions also covered the creation of industry tripartite councils in emerging and critical sectors, such as the platform economy, power, and business process outsourcing, as well as the strengthened implementation of workplace policies against violence and harassment.
DOLE said the NTIPC continues to serve as a critical platform for anticipatory and coordinated labor market responses during times of economic disruption.
Bitonio said strong tripartite action remains the backbone of crisis response — balancing business survival with worker protection.
These efforts align with President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s Executive Order 110, which calls for coordinated government action and multi-sectoral partnership to mitigate the economic impact of current global and domestic pressures.