The Regional Tripartite Wages and Productivity Board (RTWPB) II, in partnership with the National Conciliation and Mediation Board (NCMB) Region II, conducted a training‑workshop on “Better Mental Health for Better Productivity” at Casa Angela, Tuguegarao City on 27 March 2026.

Eighty participants from 40 firms across the region attended the training workshop, which was jointly organized with the Employees’ Compensation Commission (ECC) and the Occupational Safety and Health Center (OSHC) with the theme “A Synergy of Learning Towards Improved Management Practices and Enhanced Workplace Productivity.”

Atty. Winnie Joy Talamayan‑Ferrer, Supervisiong LEO, underscored the importance of prioritizing mental health, particularly among micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs).

“Sa mga MSMEs, hindi lang puhunan at produkto ang nagpapatakbo ng negosyo—tao ang tunay na puhunan. Kapag inaalagaan natin ang mental health ng ating mga empleyado, mas nagiging motivated sila, mas maayos ang trabaho, at mas umaangat ang buong negosyo,” Atty. Talamayan‑Ferrer said.

She explained that mental health initiatives are closely linked to organizational performance.

“Promoting better mental health in the workplace is not just a welfare initiative—it is a productivity strategy. When employees are mentally well, they are more engaged, resilient, and capable of contributing meaningfully to organizational growth,” she added.

The training featured interactive and engaging activities, allowing participants to actively reflect on workplace challenges and solutions related to mental well‑being. It also included guided discussions on how to design and implement mental health programs in the workplace, tailored to the needs and capacities of different enterprises.

The activity concluded with action planning, where participants identified concrete steps and commitments to promote mental health initiatives within their respective organizations, reinforcing the application of lessons learned beyond the training.

Updates from partner agencies on employee compensation, occupational safety and health, and grievance management were also shared, highlighting the importance of an integrated and collaborative approach in strengthening labor‑management relations.

Better Mental Health for Better Productivity provides a concise insight into the basics of mental health and its importance in the workplace and helps employees and employers have a better understanding of common mental health risks and strategies for handling them. (Francis Joseph M. Reyes)