QUEZON CITY – The Institute for Labor Studies (ILS) concluded the peer review of the research studies as commitments in the 2025 research agenda held from February 18 to 21, via Zoom online platform and onsite at the ILS Office at MegaOne, España Boulevard, Quezon City.

Peer reviewers were composed of experts and representatives from the ILS Gender and Development Committee. ILS management sought the expertise of Asst. Prof. Benjamin B. Velasco of the University of the Philippines - School of Labor and Industrial Relations (UP SOLAIR), Prof. Jean Encinas-Franco, Phd. of the UP College of Social Sciences and Philosophy, and Ianne C. Go, statistician and Officer-in-Charge of the Research and Information Division, National Conciliation and Mediation Board, an attached agency to the Department of Labor and Employment. The peer reviewers provided inputs and comments on the concepts and theories of the proposed research studies, gender mainstreaming, the reliability of methodologies, and statistical analysis.

The initial presentation of the indicative research project proposals aims to ensure alignment with ILS’s guiding principles of integrity in the conduct of research, relevance to labor policies and emerging issues, consistent with the 2025 DOLE Research Agenda, and other matters concerning the research discipline. The researchers solicited constructive feedback and insights from experts to refine the research frameworks and methodologies in finalizing the research proposals.

The ILS 2025 research agenda is comprised of studies on (1) Technology Transfer through the Understudy Training Program (UTP) and Skills Development Program (SDP): Practices and Lessons Learned, (2) The Role of Job Placement Offices (JPOs) in Employment Facilitation: Assessing JPOs as Strategic Partners in Industry-Driven Employment, (3) Mapping the Just Transition Pathways of Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) in Key Exporting Sectors of the Philippines through Global ESG regulations, (4) Exploring Social Dialogue Mechanisms in Upholding Decent Working Conditions of Freelancers: The Case of Theater and Broadcast Media, (5) Determining the Economic Needs Test Criteria (Risk Impact and Options), (6) Examining Women's Economic Participation and Transformative Care through Selected Childcare Facilities in the Philippines, (7) GAD in Labor Organizations: Strategies and Prospects and (8) Workers’ Perspectives on Company Practices in Labor Standards Compliance and Labor Management Relations.

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