Manila – The Institute for Labor Studies recently conducted its Year-End Planning Assessment last February 20-21 at the Bakasyunan Resort and Conference Room in Tanay, Rizal. This was presided by ILS Executive Director Ahmma Charisma Lobrin-Satumba with Acting Deputy Executive Director Patrick P. Patriwirawan, Jr., together with all the Division Chiefs of the Institute, namely, Camilo Franco S. Cabusas of the Finance and Administration Department (FAD), Miraluna S. Tacadao of the Labor and Social Relations Research Division (LSRRD), Paulina Kim C. Pacete of the (Employee Research Division), Maria Isabel D. Artajo of the Workers Welfare Research Division (WWRD), and Reinerio A. Alba of the Advocacy and Publications Division (APD).

Executive Director Satumba delivered the opening message for the activity highlighting the importance of commitment as a key value in working for the Institute and the Department. She likewise focused on research commitments that would enhance labor policies focused on the ‘Future of Work.’ Acting Deputy Executive Director Patriwirawan, Jr., began the formal round of proceedings with the presentation and discussion of the ILS Office Performance Commitment Review (OPCR), which was followed by the divisions’ respective work and financial plan, as well as the research proposals and other action points. The ILS employees were asked to discuss challenges as well as recommendations as ways forward.

The annual planning exercise is intended for the Institute to further define its research priority agenda and numerical targets for the year to produce more quality and responsive research outputs. The planning session also involved the formulation of division-level annual work plans based on the draft 2020 OPCR, harmonizing division outputs with the said OPCR. The ILS employees also worked on plotting activities that will ensure the implementation of the projects while identifying budget requirements.

This activity is in line with achieving the government’s Strategic Objectives under the 2020 General Appropriations Act. With the conduct of this session, ILS aims to achieve its organizational outcome which is to foster greater utilization of the labor and employment researches that the Institute produces for policy development and program implementation.