SUBIC BAY FREEPORT — The Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) Labor Department held a symposium Tuesday aimed at promoting better understanding of cultural differences among Filipino and foreign workers in the Subic Bay Freeport.

The Symposium on Bridging Cultural Gaps in the Workplace was held Sept. 29 at the Subic Bay Travelers Hotel and Event Center and was attended by about 60 human resources representatives and foreign workers from 25 companies operating in the Freeport zone.

The symposium discussed Filipino cultural practices, work values and workplace expectations, as well as the cultural and work practices of foreign employees and executives.

SBMA Labor Department Officer-in-Charge Rommel M. Aquino said the annual activity was established during the term of former Labor Department Manager Atty. Roy Pastor, when the Freeport experienced an increase in the number of foreign workers.

Aquino said cultural differences at the time contributed to workplace misunderstandings, prompting the department to conduct the symposium as an educational activity to help address such issues.

Allen Tuyogon of the Department of Education’s Schools Division Office of Olongapo served as resource speaker.

“Bridging cultural gaps is not about eliminating differences, but to create understanding, build trust and use diversity as a strength,” Tuyogon said.

Among those who attended was Steven Chang, president of Subic Bay Development and Management Corp.

The activity was conducted under the SBMA Labor Department, which is under the direction of Acting Deputy Administrator for Legal Affairs Group Atty. Melvin L. Varias. (Story and photos courtesy of August Jorge Lacasad Jr. / SBMA Labor Department)