Strengthened tripartism in the private security sector

DEPARTMENT of Labor and Employment (DOLE) Secretary Bienvenido Laguesma meets with members of the Private Security Industry Tripartite Council (PSITC) at the DOLE Central Office in Intramuros, Manila, on 22 May 2025. Joining the Secretary during the meeting are DOLE Undersecretary Benjo Santos Benavidez and Bureau of Labor Relations (BLR) Director Arturo Alfonso Herbosa.

TACKLING INDUSTRY CHALLENGES Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) Secretary Bienvenido E. Laguesma (seated in the middle) meets with members of the Private Security Industry Tripartite Council (PSITC) at the DOLE Central Office. Joining the Secretary during the meeting are DOLE Undersecretary Benjo Santos M. Benavidez (seated rightmost) and Bureau of Labor Relations (BLR) Director Arturo Alfonso J. Herbosa (seated leftmost). PHOTO FROM ALI CREO, DOLE IPS

Representatives from the government, private security agencies, and labor groups convened to reconstitute the Council's membership, seeking to ensure PSITC's capability to effectively tackle industry challenges, advance industrial peace, and contribute to the Marcos administration's goal of fostering a harmonious Philippine labor and employment sector.

Among the labor representatives present were Helen Aquino of the AGAP Partylist and Michael Angelo Datuin of the Alliance of Security Practitioners for Innovation Response and Empowerment (Aspire). Representing the employer sector were Erikson Orbon of the Employers Confederation of the Philippines, Eric Go Kaw of the Federation of Filipino Chinese Chambers of Commerce and Industry Inc., and Retired Colonel Manuel Espejo of the Federation of Industrial Security Organization of the Philippines.

The present members will temporarily serve as interim members with an agreement of two-member representation per organization. The PSITC has actively addressed labor and employment issues in the private security sector. In 2019, through the initiative of the PSITC, the DOLE issued Labor Advisory No. 15, series of 2019, to clarify key provisions of DOLE Department Order No. 150, series of 2016, which outlines the employment standards for security guards and private security personnel. The advisory emphasizes the compliance with the 20 percent minimum administrative fee; automatic contract adjustments for wage increases, and the obligation to remit government contributions. The labor advisory also reiterates the joint liability of principals and contractors, with wage-related concerns to be resolved through the Single Entry Approach (SEnA).

The Council remains open to new membership. Interested parties may course their intent through the Bureau of Labor Relations, which serves as the secretariat of PSITC.

DOLE continues to affirm its commitment to tripartism as a vital mechanism for inclusive dialogue and policy development, ensuring that the concerns of both employers and workers are addressed in a fair, balanced, and constructive manner.