On 21 April 2020, the British Chamber of Commerce - Philippines (“BCCP”) in partnership with Villaraza & Angangco (the “Firm”) hosted the Webinar: Distancing From Confusion in Labor Compliance: A Comprehensive Guide for Employers.

 

Addressing a video room of over seventy (70) attendees composed of high level executives, legal staff and human resources managers from all over the Philippines, the Webinar featured a comprehensive study and review of the rapidly evolving regulations, advisories and proclamations of the different government agencies regarding the Covid-19 pandemic, with emphasis on those affecting labor and employment issues. 

 

The first segment of the Webinar featured Asec. Dominique Rubia-Tutay (“Asec. Tutay”), OIC-Assistant Secretary of the Employment and General Administration Cluster of the Department of Labor and Employment (“DOLE”), who gave a detailed discussion on the DOLE’s COVID-19 Adjustment Measures Program (“CAMP”), including the DOLE’s insights into the number of affected establishments and employees, the DOLE’s accomplishments, and the DOLE’s plans moving forward.

 

The second segment of the Webinar featured the Firm’s Atty. Ernesto C. Herrera III (“Atty. Herrera”), a junior associate of the Firm, who delivered a comprehensive presentation which walked employers through: (a) the background of the enhanced community quarantine, (b) flexible work arrangements and temporary closures, (c) work compensation, benefits, and financial assistance.

 

The third segment of the Webinar featured the Firm’s Atty. Rashel Ann C. Pomoy, a senior associate of the Firm, who guided the audience on matters relating to (a) leaves and holiday pay, (b) other government assistance and social amelioration programs, (c) reporting obligations, (d) employee discipline and performance evaluation, (e) redundancies, retrenchments and closures, as well as (g) best practices for the implementation and next steps in addressing COVID-19 related issues in the workplace.

 

After the first and third segments, the speakers were given time to respond to various questions from the audience through a lively Q&A segment moderated by Atty. Maria Concepcion P. Simumdac, a partner at the Firm.

 

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For any queries regarding the Enhanced Community Quarantine and any labor issues arising from the Covid-19 pandemic, please contact the Villaraza & Angangco’s Labor Law department at: labor@thefirmva.com.