To foster a more compassionate and supportive workplace culture, local government employees took part in the “Seminar on Employees Counseling and Grievance Handling” from October 22 to 23, 2025 at the Grand Astoria Hotel.
Spearheaded by the City Government of Zamboanga through the City Human Resource and Management Office (CHRMO) in collaboration with the Civil Service Commission (CSC-9), the initiative sought to enhance the capability of city personnel in addressing workplace concerns, resolving conflicts and promoting fairness and empathy in handling employee grievances.
Mayor Khymer Olaso, represented by Executive Assistant Rosendo “Junty” Castillo III, extended his appreciation to CSC-9 and its resource speakers for sharing their expertise on grievance handling, disciplinary procedures and counseling approaches that align with civil service ethics and standards.
Conducted in two separate batches, the seminar allowed a wider participation among local government employees, ensuring that various offices and departments were equally equipped with the knowledge and skills necessary for effective grievance handling and counseling. Each batch received comprehensive discussions and interactive sessions designed to translate policies into practical workplace applications.
Among the key topics discussed during the seminar were the legal and ethical considerations in grievance resolution, the proper conduct of fair and transparent investigations and the development of effective counseling and communication strategies. Participants also learned about building trust and rapport between management employees to encourage open communication, as well as applying empathy and active listening techniques in addressing workplace issues and interventions.
Present during the seminar were City Human Resource and Management Officer Marinyd R. Tingcang, Atty. Bernabe John Bas and Atty. Sheena Mae Tajala of the CSC-9’s Legal Services Division, whose knowledge and expertise contributed highly on the success of the event.
Source: City Government of Zamboanga