Ms. Mary Grace L. Riguer formally assumed the office of the Deputy Executive Director of the Institute for Labor Studies (ILS). With her family at her side, Deputy Executive Director Riguer took her oath of office before Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) Secretary Rosalinda Dimapilis-Baldoz in a ceremony last June 20, 2014 at the DOLE Conference Room, Intramuros, Manila.

Also witnesses to the oath-taking were colleagues and staff of the Institute led by Executive Director Cynthia R. Cruz, who expressed her elation over the appointment of the new deputy executive director. Executive Director Cruz said that the appointment of Ms. Riguer as deputy executive director was well-deserved and that her appointment brings a sense of stability and security in the Institute.

“The appointment of Ms. Riguer as the new Deputy Executive Director of the ILS is a well-deserved promotion given the time, dedication, commitment and loyalty she has shown and given to the Institute through the years. At the same time, her appointment brings a sense of stability and security in the Institute in terms of assuring its staff and personnel of an able and competent leadership that will guide them in this time of many changes and transitions,” Executive Director Cruz explained.

Executive Director Cruz also said that the appointment of Deputy Executive Director Riguer can also serve as an inspiration to ILS staff and personnel by noting that she rose from the ranks. Before being appointed as Deputy Executive Director, Ms. Riguer served as OIC-Deputy Executive Director for one and a half years from 2013 to May 2014. Prior to that, she was the chief of the Institute’s Employment Research Division (ERD). As a policy researcher at the ILS for many years, Deputy Executive Director Riguer has specialized in organizing forums and conducting policy researches on labor market performance, employment generation, green jobs, climate change, migration and development, mobility and trade in services and ASEAN integration.

“Certainly, the decision of the President upon the recommendation of the Secretary to appoint Ms. Riguer as the new deputy executive director is an inspiring story to all ILS staff and personnel. It only shows that hard work really pays off in the long-run and that promotions in government, particularly in DOLE, are truly based on merits and outstanding performance. And this is something that every government employee, especially the young ones, should look forward to,” Executive Director Cruz stated.

Meanwhile, for her part, Deputy Executive Director Mary Grace Riguer expressed her gratitude and appreciation to all her colleagues and fellow researchers at the Institute. At the same time, she also stated her goal of continuing improve the systems and outputs of the Institute in the long-run.

“I am very thankful for the support and trust they have given me. There is no family like the ILS family. It is both a blessing and a privilege to work with people who are committed to help the ILS deliver quality research outputs, knowledge products and services as part of its share and contribution to the DOLE’s agenda of inclusive growth and decent work. Toward this goal, with hard work and all our collective efforts, we will make sure that we will bring the ILS into greater heights,” Deputy Executive Director Riguer concluded.

(For more information and queries about this press release, please contact Mr. Bryan M. Balco of the Advocacy and Publications Division of the ILS at 527-3490/527-3447).