MAKATI CITY—In a joint effort to strengthen labor justice and safeguard the welfare of Filipino workers, the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) and the National Labor Relations Commission (NLRC) formally signed a Data Sharing Agreement (DSA) on December 12, 2025.

Under the DSA, the NLRC is granted access to selected information from DTI’s Business Name Registration System (BNRS) to support the issuance of summonses, service of notifications, enforcement of decisions, and other legal proceedings. The agreement also aims to streamline and enhance the NLRC’s verification of sole proprietorship details, including beneficial ownership data—an important component in ensuring effective enforcement of labor decisions.

“By sharing verified information from the DTI’s BNRS, we are helping the NLRC deliver faster and more reliable processes, especially in serving legal notices for workers and businesses alike,” said DTI Secretary Ma. Cristina A. Roque.

“To our partners in the NLRC, thank you for your dedication to upholding social justice and ensuring fair treatment for our workers. This agreement strengthens your work and supports the backbone of our economy—our labor force and entrepreneurs,” she added.

During the ceremonial signing, DTI Assistant Secretary for the Regional Operations Group Grace F. Baluyan presented an overview of the agreement. The discussion covered the purpose of the DSA, the scope of data to be shared, the responsibilities of both agencies, data security and privacy safeguards, breach response protocols, and data retention and disposal measures.

“This agreement stands as a testament to our collective commitment to uphold accountability, strengthen inter-agency cooperation and coordination, and ensure that the public receives timely, fair, and efficient government service,” Assistant Secretary Baluyan emphasized.

In her message, NLRC Chairperson Grace E. Maniquiz-Tan expressed gratitude to the DTI for supporting the Commission’s mandate to provide speedy and effective public service.

“We commit that, through this DSA, our shared vision for Filipino workers and employers will be attained. We assure you that the data shared with us will be secured, that there will be no data breach, that all measures will be taken to ensure the privacy of the shared data, and that the DSA will be used only for its intended purpose,” Chairperson Maniquiz-Tan affirmed.

Also present at the ceremony were NLRC Commissioners Gina F. Cenit-Escoto and Gavino R. Meneses, Research and Legal Department Director Maria Ricasion B. Tugadi, Legal and Enforcement Division Chief Tarcila B. Nepomuceno-Banda, and other NLRC staff. The signing was held at the DTI’s main office.

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