DAVAO CITY / CEBU CITY – The Institute for Labor Studies (ILS) concluded its fieldwork activities in Davao and Central Visayas regions as part of its ongoing research projects, “Gender and Development (GAD) in Labor Organizations: Strategies and Prospects” and “Workers' Perspectives on Company Practices in Labor Standards Compliance and Labor-Management Relations.” from 01 to 11 April 2025.

The Davao leg of the fieldwork was held from 01 to 04 April 2025, at the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) Regional Office XI. Research teams led by project managers Atty. Joanne Camille P. Bejarin, Jan Danielle R. Bondad, and Joan N. Comillo began their visit with a courtesy call to DOLE Region XI Officer-in-Charge Ms. Dimple T. Dumandagan and Mr. Paul V. Cruz to present the research projects’ overview, objectives, and scope. This was followed by the conduct of focused group discussions and key informant interviews with workers’ representatives, unionized employees, and key labor stakeholders at various sites within the regions.

Meanwhile, in Central Visayas, data-gathering activities were conducted from April 7 to 11, 2025, with the support of the DOLE Regional Office VII. The research teams paid a courtesy visit to Regional Director Atty. Roy L. Buenafe and discussed the planned data-gathering activities in the region. Data-gathering sessions were subsequently held at the Occupational Safety and Health Center (OSHC) Regional Office and other venues across Cebu City and Lapu-Lapu City, participated by workers and management representatives from unionized companies in the manufacturing industry, as well as stakeholders from the safety and health education sectors.

The GAD in Labor Organizations and Workers’ Perspectives on Company Practices research projects are among the Institute’s eight (8) ongoing research initiatives, which are scheduled to be presented at the annual DOLE Research Conference in October 2025, with full completion targeted by end of December 2025.

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