Members of the DOLE Inter-Agency Committee on Research and Statistical Matters (IAC-RSM) underwent a seminar on “Linking Research to Labor and Employment Policy Development and Innovation” last June 25-26, 2015 at The Bayleaf Hotel in Intramuros, Manila.

Organized by the Institute for Labor Studies (ILS), the workshop was a two-day training designed to assist the agencies in drafting their research papers, and is the first leg of a series of capacity-building activities of the committee.

The workshop was divided into six key sessions facilitated by Gladys Nalangan, Senior Lecturer, University of the Philippines-National College of Public Administration and Governance (UP-NCPAG).

Session 1 of the workshop covered the basic concepts of research and the identification of the role of research in public policy development and innovation.

Session 2 involved presentations from ILS OIC-Deputy Exec. Director Stephanie Tabladillo and OIC-Chief Brenalyn Peji of the Workers Welfare Research Division on the subject “Understanding Key Labor and Employment Trends, Challenges and Prospects.” Atty. Tabladillo discussed key labor and employment indicators including labor market efficiency (LME) indicators that guide DOLE toward the attainment of desired organizational outcomes. Peji highlighted potential impact and effects of the country’s integration into the ASEAN Community.

Session 3 covered the identification of government responses to key labor and employment issues and challenges.  The mapping allowed the members to see for themselves the needs that are being met by government policies, programs, and projects, alongside the gaps in services that are yet to be addressed.

Session 4 allowed the participants to review and update the research agenda priorities of IAC-RSM based on the identified key labor and employment issues and challenges, while opening discussions on possible inter-agency/ committee-level collaborations.

Session 5 was a lecture on the writing of effective public policy research proposal with the participants learning its key parts and components.

Session 6 enabled the participants to draft their initial research proposal, clarifying research problem and objectives based on the updated IAC-RSM research agenda priorities.

At the end of the workshop, the ILS encouraged the IAC-RSM member attendees to be consistent in their attendance to succeeding capacity-building activities to ensure continuity of learning.

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.