PALSCON, country's largest service contractors' group holds 5th Annual Conference

Sarah P. Deloraya, Chair, 5th Annual Conference and Immediate Past President of the Philippine Association of Legitimate Service Contractors, Inc., or PALSCON, yesterday announced the conduct of its 5th Annual Conference in Manila, to be participated in by ASEAN regional players and stakeholders in the service contracting and outsourcing industry.

"The PALSCON, in partnership with the DOLE, is organising and hosting the 5th PALSCON Annual Conference on 24 April 2015-a gathering of legitimate local service contractors, private employment agencies, employers, Human Resource Development practitioners, government officials, members of the academe, workers organisations, and international regional organisations geared towards articulating and explaining the issues and concerns facing the service contracting industry, as well as the challenges and opportunities the industry offers to the country's developing economy in the light of the 2015 ASEAN Economic Integration, implementation of government policies and rules and regulations (D.O. 18-A), employment issues, and excellence in service contracting," Ms. Deloraya, Conference Chair, said in a press statement.

The Annual Conference, which has for its theme, "The Service Contracting Industry: Recognised, Indispensable, And Responsible Partner in Nation Building Rising the Waves Towards ASEAN Integration," will be held at the Centennial Hall of the Manila Hotel, with the Manila Bulletin as one of its media partners.

Ms. Deloraya said the Annual Conference will be an occasion to discuss among the participants updates and developments in the service contracting and outsourcing industry, and to forge unity and cooperation among ASEAN regional players and stakeholders.

Thematic topics up for discussion at the conference include "Updates and Importance of D.O. 18-A Amidst ASEAN Integration"; "The Roadmap Towards ASEAN Integration: Making Inclusive Economic Growth a Reality"; "The Rise of Non-Standard Employment Between Flexibility and Security in Selected ASEAN Countries"; Quality Standard & Compliance: How to Bring the Service Contracting to the Next Level"; "ASEAN Qualifications Framework and Mutual Recognition Agreements (MRAs)"; and "The World of Work in 2020: How the Service Contracting Industry will Change in the Next Five Years".

"These are very important topics to miss," said Deloraya in pitching attendance to the Annual Conference.

"The service subcontracting industry is evolving. Employment trends are changing. Workplace arrangements are in a state of flux. New state policies and regulations are being reviewed and re-examined. All these are up for discussion in the 5th PALSCON Annual Conference," Ms. Deloraya explained.

Arturo Guerrero III, PALSCON National President, said the Conference is another leap in the PALSCON's journey towards reaching out to the Philippines' neighbours, and an occasion to examine best business approaches to strengthen Philippine competitiveness to sustain the country's economic growth.

The PALSCON, a member of the Employers' Confederation of the Philippines, is an association of legitimate local service contractors organized primarily to further the cause of government and labor sectors by providing employment via sub-contracting activities geared towards the upliftment of labor standards of the country.

The PALSCON has invited Senator Juan M. Angara, Labor and Employment Secretary Rosalinda Dimapilis-Baldoz and Chairman of Philippine Chamber of Commerce (PCCI) & Employers Confederation of the Philippines (ECOP) Atty. Miguel Varela to speak at the Annual Conference. In addition, experts from government and the private sectors have also committed to deliver presentations.

They include Ms. Morela Mistie Infante-Ohaebuka, Certified John Maxwell Coach, Trainer & Teacher; Ms. Mary Leian C. Marasigan, Ph.D, of the UP School of Labor and Industrial Relations; Prof. Nestor O. Raneses, Assistant Vice President for Administration, University of the Philippines System; Dr. Melinda Lopez-Garcia of the Professional Regulations Commission; Director Catherine Legados-Parado of the DOLE's Bureau of Working Conditions;, Bureau of Labor & Employment ; multi awarded entrepreneur, Dr. Carl L. Balita, President, Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry-Quezon City; Rene G. Romero, Chairman, ROMAC Group of Companies, and PALSCON Director; Grace Abella-Zata, Past President, PMAP, and Managing Director, Corporate Executive Search; and Luis Alberto Anastacio, President, Servicio Filipino, Inc.

Other invited resource persons include Former, DOLE Undersecretary Reydeluz Conferido; Atty. Ranulfo P. Payos, Vice President, ECOP; Atty. Sonny Matula, National President, Federation of Free Workers-International Trade Union and Atty. Giovanni H. Melgar, Past President of PALSCON Online Reservation and registration for the 5th PALSCON Annual Conference are ongoing at www.annualconference.palscon.org. Inquiries may also be made through Ms. Loida Bautista, 0916-281-7935 and 0933-961-8021 (NCR); Sharon Macalla, (049) 530-1274 and 0977-1966280 (Region 4-A); Mira Paras, 0932-870-5713 and (045) 888-4363 or (045) 888-9839 (Region 3); and Erlinda Tagabi, 0922-816-7013 or (032) 232-2750 (Region 7).