QUEZON CITY — The Institute for Labor Studies (ILS) welcomed Department of Labor and Employment Secretary Francis N. Tolentino as he leads the 39th anniversary celebration on 28 July 2026 at the ILS Conference Room, 3rd Floor, Mega One Building, Quezon City.
The program opened with a holy mass attended by DOLE Secretary Tolentino, ILS management, and employees. This was followed by a program where Sec. Tolentino delivered his key message.
DOLE Secretary Tolentino underscored the Institute’s vital role as the research and advocacy arm of DOLE, highlighting its contributions to evidence-based policymaking and nation-building and its potential to influence the evolving labor landscape in the country.
“What ILS has done for the last 39 years reflects stability and provides a foundational basis for what government is doing and what government exists for... The ILS has helped shape government policy behind the scenes, and your contributions continue to benefit the entire nation,” he emphasized.
“Thirty-nine years of evidence-based research builds better policies. ILS must continue preparing for the changes that will reshape the labor and employment landscape of the Philippines,” he added.
ILS Executive Director Jeanette T. Damo welcomed the Secretary and the Institute’s esteemed guests and reaffirmed its commitment to data-driven policymaking for the Department. She also reflected on the Institute’s 39-year journey, recalling her early years as a researcher and the growth she has witnessed through the years with the Department.
“Sa ilang taong pagseserbisyo ko po sa ILS, masasabi kong ang Institute ay nanatiling relevant at handang rumisponde sa mga isyu at paksa patungkol sa usapin ng paggawa at empleyo. Nais ko ring ipaabot ang aming suporta sa mga adhikain ng aming kalihim, Secretary Tolentino, sa pagsusulong at pagpapalawig ng disenteng trabaho para sa lahat,” she underscored.
In closing, DOLE Undersecretary Gerard A. Mosquera outlined the plans, directions, and ways forward as the Institute enters its next chapter. He also shared his experiences in the public service, underscoring the value of integrity.
“Integrity is doing good and choosing to do what is right… That when we develop good habits, we develop good character that makes us whole as humans and as public servants,” he said.
This year’s celebration carries the team “39 Years of Shaping Human-centric Labor Policy through Advocacy and Policy Research,” which commemorated nearly four decades of the Institute’s contributions to evidence-based labor and employment policymaking in the Philippines. The event also served as an opportunity to recognize the Institute’s accomplishments and strengthen solidarity among its officials, employees, and partners.
Established through Executive Order No. 251 in 1987, the ILS continues to provide research-based policy support to the DOLE through labor and employment studies, policy advocacy, and knowledge generation. As the Institute approaches its fourth decade of service, the anniversary celebration highlights its enduring commitment to producing relevant research and advancing policies that contribute to decent work and improved welfare for Filipino workers.
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