CLARK FREEPORT — With the recent launched of the Joint Industrial Peace and Concern Office, Central Luzon, being one of the major industrial region in the country, have been assured of labor unrest-free, key official said in a statement.
JIPCO, touted as the first line of defense against radical labor groups infiltrating various industries in Central Luzon, is a law enforcement mechanism aimed at addressing labor unrest including crimes such as pilferage, hijacking, and technical smuggling, said Brig. General Rhodel Sermonia, director of the Police Regional Office 3 (PRO3).
At least four major industrial estate will be covered by the JIPCO. These are Clark Freeport Zone, Subic Bay Freeport, Freeport Area of Bataan and Holy Angel Industrial Estate in Bacolor, Pampanga.
Sermonia said JIPCO is a community relations program of the Philippine National Police (PNP) in partnership with the Philippine Economic Zone Authority (PEZA) to ensure industrial peace and prevent labor unrest in this region.
“JIPCO was created for the purpose of protecting both labor welfare, rights and productive industry gains without sacrificing industrial peace,” said Sermonia during the launching said office held at the ASEAN Convention Center at Fontana Leisure Resort here Wednesday.
Present during the launched were Secretary Carlito Galvez of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process (OPAPP), PEZA Director BGen. Charito Plaza and PNP Director General Archie Gamboa.
“We’re going to drive the force of out country’s global competitiveness and foreign preference as one of the prime investment destination in Asia,” Sermonia pointed out.
He added that Central Luzon remains a major flashpoint for progressive organizations and other cause oriented groups known in the underground as white area operation.
“Your police will take advantage of the potentials of community engagement to prevent industries from being infiltrated by agitators and with the implementation of JIPCO in the different economic zones, from Subic to Clark to Mariveles and in areas of Bulacan, Pampanga, Tarlac and Nueva Ecija where industries are prevalent and labor unions are many, the morale and welfare of the labor sector will be promoted and at the same time industries will be prevented from being infiltrated by left-leaning groups.” Sermonia explained.
OPAPP, PNP, PEZA and representatives from the Department of Labor and Employment, CDC, SFZ and AFAB signed JIPCO Implementing Rules and Regulations which will strengthen the primary partnership mechanism for TRIPARTISM — a convergence among the government, industry/investment and workers.