The National Labor Relations Commission (NLRC) kicked off 2025 with a Flag Raising Ceremony hosted by the Office of the Chairperson on Monday, January 13, 2025. Chairperson Grace E. Maniquiz-Tan greeted the agency with warm wishes for a happy and healthy new year, while reflecting on the NLRC’s accomplishments in 2024, a milestone year marking the agency’s 50th founding anniversary.

Chairperson Tan highlighted the NLRC’s dedication to employee well-being through various health and wellness seminars, underscoring the agency’s commitment to fostering a supportive workplace environment. She also praised the strides made in enhancing case-handling processes, particularly through the continued implementation of case inventory systems. These advancements resulted in faster case resolutions and improved performance by Labor Arbiters and Commissioners, exceeding targets in case disposition.

The Chairperson also emphasized the significance of partnerships formed in 2024 with key agencies, including the Land Registration Authority (LRA), Land Transportation Office (LTO), and Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), which bolstered the NLRC's operational capacity and stakeholder collaboration.

Looking forward to 2025, Chairperson Tan outlined the agency’s key priorities, focusing on maintaining efficiency in case disposition and execution. She highlighted the NLRC's 33% satisfaction rate as of October 2024, achieved through the joint efforts of Labor Arbiters, Labor Arbitration Associates and Sheriffs. Additionally, the "Best Sala" awards program, aimed at recognizing exemplary work by Labor Arbiters and staff, is undergoing a thorough review to ensure fairness and proper recognition.

Chairperson Tan also addressed the passage of the Magna Carta of Filipino Seafarers on September 23, 2024, and the subsequent signing of its Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR) on January 8, 2025. She emphasized the importance of adapting to the new legislation by developing internal rules and templates to guide Labor Arbiters and Commissioners in drafting decisions aligned with the Magna Carta’s provisions.

In her closing remarks, Chairperson Tan acknowledged the challenges ahead, particularly with the upcoming Year-End Performance Assessment (YEPA) scheduled for January 16-17, 2025. She encouraged all officials and employees to remain steadfast in providing fair, prompt, and efficient service to the public, ensuring that the agency continues to uphold its mandate with excellence and integrity.