Davao City – The Department of Agrarian Reform Employees Association (DAREA) successfully conducted an Orientation on the Role of Public Sector Unionism in the Agency’s Productivity and Human Resource Management from March 5-8, 2025. The event gathered key representatives from DAR Central, Regional, and Provincial Offices to deepen their understanding of public sector unionism and its role in fostering a more productive and well-managed workforce.

The orientation aimed to strengthen collaboration between DAR management and employees by equipping participants—many of whom serve as voting members of the Human Resource Merit Promotion and Selection Board (HRMPSB)—with essential knowledge of the Omnibus Rules on Appointments and Other Human Resource Actions (ORAOHRA) of the Civil Service Commission (CSC).

DAR Head Executive Assistant Nestor Ifurung Jr., representing DAR Secretary Conrado Estrella III, welcomed the participants and emphasized the importance of a strong and informed workforce.

“A productive and well-informed workforce is the foundation of efficient public service. Strengthening our knowledge of unionism and human resource management enhances both our workplace environment and our service to agrarian reform beneficiaries,” Secretary Estrella said.

The four-day event featured interactive discussions, visual presentations, video clips, and Structured Learning Exercises (SLES) with gamification elements, creating a dynamic and engaging learning experience. An open forum allowed participants to raise key concerns related to human resource management and gender issues within the department.

The orientation featured expert resource speakers, including: Felix Cabuguas Jr. from the Civil Service Commission (CSC), who provided insights into human resource policies and regulations; DAR Regional Director Arsenio James Ponce, an advocate for women and children’s rights, discussed Gender and Development (GAD) in the workplace, highlighting strategies to promote gender equality within the agency.

By the end of the orientation, participants gained valuable insights into balancing public service responsibilities with employee welfare. They also enhanced their knowledge of CSC rules, HR policies, and their roles as HRMPSB members, while identifying solutions to common HR and gender-related issues.

DAREA President Edna Rota emphasized the significance of the orientation in strengthening the organization’s role in employee welfare and agency productivity.

“This initiative empowers employees to advocate for their rights while fulfilling their duties as public servants. By equipping them with the right knowledge and skills, we are creating a more inclusive and efficient workplace,” Rota said.

The orientation reaffirmed DAR’s commitment to building a well-informed and engaged workforce, ultimately improving the delivery of agrarian reform programs and public service. (By: Edminda Roque)

DAR Employees Association Pinalakas ang Pakikilahok ng mga Kawani sa Pamamagitan ng Orientasyon sa Pag-uunyon

DAVAO CITY—Matagumpay na isinagawa ng Department of Agrarian Reform Employees Association (DAREA) ang Orientation on The Role of Public Sector Unionism in the Agency’s Productivity and Human Resource Management noong Marso 5-8, 2025. Dinaluhan ito ng mga kinatawan mula sa DAR Central, Regional, at Provincial Offices upang higit pang maunawaan ang papel ng public sector unionism sa pagpapataas ng produktibidad at pagpapabuti ng human resource management.

Layon ng orientation na mapanatili ang maayos at produktibong ugnayan sa pagitan ng pamunuan ng DAR at ng samahan ng mga empleyado nito. Ang mga lumahok, na karamihan ay kasapi ng Human Resource Merit Promotion and Selection Board (HRMPSB), ay binigyan ng kaalaman hinggil sa Omnibus Rules on Appointments and Other Human Resource Actions (ORAOHRA) ng Civil Service Commission (CSC).

Sa kanyang mensahe ng pagbati, binigyang-diin ni DAR Head Executive Assistant Nestor Ifurung Jr., na kumatawan kay DAR Secretary Conrado Estrella III, ang kahalagahan ng pagkakaisa sa pagitan ng ahensya at mga empleyado nito. “Ang isang matatag at may kaalamang mga kawani ang pundasyon ng epektibong serbisyong pampubliko. Sa pamamagitan ng mas malalim na pag-unawa sa unionism at human resource management, hindi lamang natin pinagbubuti ang ating mga manggagawa kundi pinapalakas din natin ang ating paglilingkod sa mga agrarian reform beneficiaries,” ayon kay Estrella.

Tampok sa orientation ang iba’t ibang talakayan at interaktibong pag-aaral, kabilang ang lecture discussions, visual presentations, video clips, at Structured Learning Exercises (SLES). Nagkaroon din ng Open Forum upang matugunan ang mga mahahalagang usapin at hamon sa human resources at gender issues sa loob ng ahensya.

Isa sa mga pangunahing tagapagsalita si Felix Cabuguas Jr. mula sa Civil Service Commission (CSC). Nagbigay naman ng mahahalagang pananaw si DAR Regional Director Arsenio James Ponce tungkol sa Gender and Development (GAD). Bilang isang masugid na tagapagtaguyod ng karapatan ng kababaihan at kabataan, ipinaliwanag ni Ponce ang mga estratehiya upang tugunan ang gender imbalances at inequalities sa ahensya.

Sa pagtatapos ng orientasyon, nagkaroon ng mas malalim na pag-unawa ang mga kalahok sa balanseng pagganap ng kanilang tungkulin bilang tagapagsulong ng pampublikong interes habang inaalagaan din ang kapakanan ng rank-and-file employees. Pinalawak din ang kanilang kaalaman sa mga patakaran ng CSC, HR policies, at kanilang papel bilang HRMPSB members. Bukod dito, natukoy at natalakay ang mga solusyon sa karaniwang problema sa HR at gender-related issues.

Binigyang-diin naman ni DAREA President Edna Rota ang kahalagahan ng orientasyon sa pagpapalakas ng organisasyon sa usaping kapakanan ng mga empleyado at produktibidad ng ahensya. “Ang inisyatibang ito ay nagbibigay-kapangyarihan sa ating mga empleyado na ipaglaban ang kanilang mga karapatan habang tinutupad din ang kanilang tungkulin bilang lingkod-bayan. Sa pagbibigay sa kanila ng tamang kasanayan at kaalaman, nagtataguyod tayo ng isang workplace na mas episyente at inklusibo,” ayon kay Rota.

Muling pinagtibay ng orientation ang pangako ng DAR sa pagpapatibay ng workforce nito sa pamamagitan ng pagbibigay ng sapat na kaalaman at pagpapalakas ng pakikilahok ng mga kawani. Inaasahang magreresulta ito sa mas mahusay at epektibong paghahatid ng serbisyong pampubliko.