Manila – The Institute for Labor Studies OIC-Executive Director Ma. Celeste M. Valderrama, presented a Stock Taking of the DOLE Inter-Agency Committee on Research and Statistical Matters’ (IAC-RSM) Accomplishments during its recently concluded 1st Strategic Planning Session last November 24-25 at the Bayleaf Hotel, Intramuros, Manila.

The stock taking activity was part of the input session for the two-day event where key takeaways from the various resource persons were used by all the participants for the workshop session which produced initial results for key research areas that will be included in the 5-year research agenda.

OIC-Executive Director Valderrama started off by providing the legal basis for the IAC-RSM though Department Order 116-11 followed by the presentation of the Decent Work roadmap used by the Department in its Philippine Labor and Employment Plan 2011-2016.

“This roadmap serves as our guide in identifying researches that would provide sustainable outcomes such as increased levels of, opportunities for, and access to, decent and productive work under the Employment pillar, strengthened tripartism and broadened representation of workers toward productivity gain-sharing and competitiveness under the Social Dialogue pillar, universal coverage, expanded benefits, accessibility of social protection and safe work for all under the Social Protection Pillar, and strengthened compliance with the Constitutionally-protected rights of workers under the Rights-At-Work pillar.”

OIC-ED Valderrama highlighted the number of researches completed per pillar since IAC-RSM’s inception in 2011, totaling approximately 120 completed researches covering a 5-year period.

“As we craft our 5-year research agenda, our endeavors must be responsive and relevant of research to existing and emerging labor and employment concerns and trends, so that as a Committee, we will be able to do our part in meeting the 8-point Labor and Employment agenda set by Secretary Bello.”

The Institute for Labor Studies (ILS) is the policy research and advocacy arm of the Department of Labor and Employment. For more information on this story, please contact the Advocacy and Publications Division at 527-3490.