The Institute for Labor Studies (ILS) kickstarted 2022 with its annual DOLE Research Conference held via Zoom on 29-30 March 2022. The said DOLE Research Conference allowed the Institute’s researchers to provide an inclusive platform to discuss and present to its tripartite partners and stakeholders its 2021 papers governing relevant labor and employment policies and decent work concerns.
Among the recent ILS researches that made an impact included the Bike-to-Work paper, which aided DOLE in crafting a program for workers who commute to work using their bicycles. Other pioneering papers of the Institute covered studies on work-from-home arrangements, fair working conditions in the healthcare and digital platform sectors to rapid assessments of employment and social protection programs for displaced local and overseas workers.
Marking its pre-celebration activities for its 35th year anniversary, on March 22, the Institute received a general positive review during the 2021 Commission on Audit Exit Conference. The COA reported through Audit Observation Memorandum (AOM) No. 2022-003 that the Institute accomplished its Organizational Outcomes by completing 9 research papers, exceeding its 2021 target of 8 research papers with an accomplishment rate of 113%. ILS also produced 268 technical reports and papers punctually putting it at a rate of 98.53%, then exceeding its 80% target. This figure is based on a total of 272 requests received for 2021. The COA team also reported that the ILS has consistently complied with the pertinent BIR, GSIS, PhilHealth, and PAG-IBIG rules, and regulations. All its employees, suppliers, and contractors were remitted and reimbursed within the periods specified by each regulation.
ILS also earned an unqualified opinion from the Commission on Audit (COA) for its 2021 financial report. The Commission stated that “the audit provides a reasonable basis for rendering an unmodified opinion on the fairness of the presentation of the financial statements.” The letter was signed by Director Elinore G. Lavilla of COA’s National Government Audit Sector. This latest unqualified opinion marks the Institute’s 10-year Unqualified Audit streak – a testament to the Institute’s commitment to transparency and judicious use of public funds.
In October, the Institute joined the Department of Labor and Employment family as one of the key members of the Technical Working Group created through Administrative Order No. 264, s. 2022 as the Philippines hosted the 27th ASEAN Labor Ministers’ Meeting (ALMM) and Related Meetings in Manila from October 25 to 29. Labor Secretary Bienvenido E. Laguesma chaired the 27th ALMM while Undersecretary Benedicto Ernesto R. Bitonio Jr. assumed chairmanship of the 20th Senior Labor Officials Meeting (SLOM) and Undersecretary Carmela I. Torres as head of the Philippine Delegation. The bi-ennial meetings served as a major venue to identify and advance areas of regional cooperation on matters affecting labor and employment, including the review of the progress of various regional programs on skills development, digitalization, climate change and green jobs, industrial relations and the changing world of work, migration and social protection.
ILS published a Performance Report highlighting how the Institute progressed, prospered, and navigated the years of 2016-2022 in fulfillment of its mandate of contributing to efficient and effective labor and employment policy and decision-making
through relevant, responsive, and high-quality policy researches and research supports. Available in its official web site is the document: “The Past SIX Years an ILS Performance Report, 2016-2022.” (download a copy: https://www.ils.dole.gov.ph/downloads/file/731-2022-ils-performance-report )