WHEREAS , Resolution No. 1, series of 1997 was passed by the Council on January 6, 1997 establishing the Expedited Procedures for Voluntary Arbitration of Labor and Management disputes;

WHEREAS , the Council during its 39th Special Meeting held on 23 April 1999 resolved to amend these guidelines to further promote the expeditious settlement of labor disputes, as follows:

1.           The procedures shall apply to all voluntary arbitration cases handled by a single voluntary arbitrator involving simple issue/s where hearings, reception of evidences, submission of post hearing briefs/position papers, if necessary, and promulgation of decision can be completed within twenty (20) calendar days from submission of the case to the arbitrator. However, this procedure shall not apply to cases falling under the Free Legal Aid and Voluntary Arbitration Services (FLAVAS) program.

2.           The arbitrator shall meet the parties within two (2) days from referral of the case for arbitration. For subsequent hearings, the arbitrator, with the agreement or in consultation with the parties, shall fix the date, time, and place of the hearing.

3.           The hearing shall be conducted by the arbitrator in a manner that will expedite full presentation of the evidence and arguments of the parties. The arbitrator shall prepare minutes of the proceedings duly signed by the parties and attested to by the arbitrator, and which shall form part of the records of the case.

4.           The award shall be in writing, signed by the arbitrator and rendered within twenty (20) calendar days from the date the case is submitted for arbitration.

5.           In case of compliance with this Resolution, any party who has no capacity to pay the arbitrator's fee and upon approval of the application for subsidy shall be entitled to a maximum subsidy of fifteen thousand pesos (P15,000.00). Such subsidy shall be paid directly to the voluntary arbitrator upon submission of the documentary requirements by the parties.

APPROVED.

Adoptred: 15 Nov. 1999

(SGD.) BUENAVENTURA C. MAGSALIN Chairman		(SGD.) BENEDICTO ERNESTO R. BITONIO, JR. Member-Government Sector
(SGD.) ROBERTO A. PADILLA Member-Labor Sector		(SGD.) EDGAR C. RECI A  Member-Labor Sector
(SGD.) RANULFO P. PAYOS Member- Employer Sector		(SGD.) ANIANO G. BAGABALDO Member-Employer Sector
	APPROVED:
	(SGD.) BIENVENIDO E. LAGUESMA Secretary