QUEZON CITY – The Institute for Labor Studies (ILS), together with the Bureau of Local Employment (BLE) and the International Labour Organization (ILO), successfully conducted a consultative workshop with the Department of Energy (DOE) and other national government agencies last October 16, at Luxent Hotel in Quezon City.

The event forms part of the Department of Labor and Employment's initiative to update the National Green Jobs Human Resource Development Plan, in support of the transition toward a green economy. Present in the event were representatives from the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), the Technical Educational Skills Development Authority (TESDA), the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA), and the Department of Education (DepEd).

ILS OIC-Executive Director Jeanette T. Damo emphasized the role of the Institute in supporting the Green Jobs Act by promoting jobs that are not only sustainable and environment-friendly but also decent. At the core of DOLE’s efforts to combat climate change is to ensure the full implementation of the Philippine Green Jobs Act of 2016, which establishes a national framework for encouraging the generation of green jobs. This legislation offers fiscal and non-fiscal incentives to support private-sector investments in green goods, services, and technologies. It ensures that our transition to a low-carbon economy aligns with the fundamental principles of decent work: employment, social protection, rights at work, and social dialogue.

The first in a series, the workshop focused on the Renewable Energy (RE) sector, taking off from the initiative launched by DOE for the reskilling and upskilling of the Filipino workforce in anticipation of the global pivot to just energy transition, in partnership with the Department of Labor and Employment and industry players.

Ms. Georginia Pascual of ILO shared the current plans and mentioned that they are currently focusing on the top three (3) sectors in our country: Renewable Energy (RE), Electronic Vehicles, and the Built Environment, where they look forward to seeing concrete designs for labor supply and demand for the Human Resource Development systems. The action taken will serve as a buffer in anticipation of possible work challenges, while maximizing potential opportunities that will be available from the different sectors in generating green jobs to further protect and secure the Filipino labor workforce.

For more information regarding the National Green Jobs HRD Plan 2020-2030, kindly visit this link: National Green Jobs HRD Plan (dole.gov.ph).