QUEZON CITY—In a significant move to streamline the enforcement of labor decisions, the National Labor Relations Commission (NLRC) and the Land Registration Authority (LRA) signed a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) on December 5, 2024. Held at the NLRC central office, the signing ceremony was attended by NLRC Chairperson Grace E. Maniquiz-Tan and LRA Administrator Gerardo P. Sirios. Highlighting a shared commitment, the MOA aims to expedite justice for workers and employers by addressing delays and challenges in enforcing monetary awards and other labor-related rulings.

“This MOA is very crucial as it will make the process of obtaining information regarding the property [of judgment debtors] easier for the sheriffs who would usually go to the city or municipal assessor’s office to do so,” Chairperson Tan said during the MOA-signing ceremony.

Under the agreement, the LRA will assist the NLRC by granting access to its database of land titles and real property records. This partnership aims to facilitate the identification and verification of properties owned by parties involved in labor disputes, particularly those subject to execution orders.

LRA Administrator Gerardo Sirios emphasized the importance of the MOA in advancing labor welfare while safeguarding land ownership rights. He also highlighted the Personal Property Security Act, which established the Philippines Personal Property Security Registry—a national online registry for all personal property subject to security interests.

"It will serve as a centralized registration, which I believe will significantly aid in delivering awards to our workers. As we know, in the execution of judgments, chattel mortgages and personal property are prioritized before real property. With this system, we can potentially include in the agreement access to personal securities registered with us for the benefit of workers," LRA Administrator Sirios said.

“As an agency under the Department of Justice, we are duty-bound to contribute to delivering social justice to our citizens. With the signing of this MOA, we hope to strengthen our collaboration to fulfill our respective mandates. The LRA is committed to supporting the NLRC and other agencies involved in the dispensation of justice,” he added.

Under the 2011 NLRC Rules of Procedure, as amended, the NLRC Sheriff may enforce a monetary judgment by levying on the real property of the losing party, such as land and buildings, that are not exempt from execution and are sufficient to cover the judgment award.

NLRC Presiding Commissioner Victor C. Avecilla and LRA Marikina City Registrar of Deeds Richard Alvin Nalupta witnessed the MOA-signing ceremony, along with other NLRC Presiding Commissioners, Commissioners, and Executive Labor Arbiters from the National Capital Region Arbitration Branch.