MANILA – The Institute for Labor Studies (ILS) participated in the 2026 National Tripartite Conference themed “Advancing Decent Work Toward Shared Responsibility and Prosperity in the Changing World,” organized by the Bureau of Labor Relations- Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) on 28 to 30 January 2026, at the Manila Prince Hotel, Ermita, Manila.

The conference was officially opened bu the Officer-in-Charge of the DOLE Office of the Secretary, Undersecretary Benedicto Ernesto R. Bitonio, Jr., together with the DOLE senior officials and heads of attached agencies. The event aimed to strengthen the participation of workers’ and employers’ organizations and government representatives in shaping labor and employment policies and practices aligned with the Philippine Labor and Employment Plan (LEP) 2023–2028 and the Trabaho Para sa Bayan Plan 2025–2034.

One of the key highlights of the conference was the presentation of the Midterm Evaluation Results of the LEP 2023-2028, presented by DOLE Undersecretary Carmela I. Torres, Bureau of Local Employment (BLE) Director Patrick P. Patriwirawan, Jr., Bureau of Working Conditions (BWC) Director Alvin P. Curada, and Bureau of Workers with Special Concerns (BWSC) Director Leilani M. Reynoso  The discussions focused on the Department’s progress in advancing the Plan’s core priorities, namely: maximizing productive, remunerative, freely chosen, and sustainable work and employment opportunities; ensuring labor market governance that upholds fundamental principles and rights at work, international labor standards, and human rights; and building equitable and inclusive social protection systems.

During the Day 2, ILS OIC-Deputy Executive Director Miraluna S. Tacadao served as a panelist for the session titled “Realizing Decent Work in the Platform Economy,” and shared a presentation titled, “Towards a National Policy Framework for Decent Work in the Platform Economy (Regulatory Options).” The session sought to guide the tripartite discussion on policy and regulatory approaches for achieving decent work in the platform economy.

On Day 3, participants engaged in breakout sessions that tackled timely labor issues, including the living wage, subcontracting and contractualization, and the portability of social security benefits.

The three-day conference likewise served as a platform for dialogue and collaboration among tripartite partners and other stakeholders to ensure that labor market strategies remain modern, balanced, and well‑informed. Participants shared recommendations to further refine policy directions, identify areas of convergence, and strengthen collective commitment in advancing decent work and inclusive growth.

The event was graced by around 400 participants from the National Tripartite Industry Peace Council and its Technical Executive Committee, Regional Tripartite Industrial Peace Councils, Industrial Tripartite Councils, informal sector groups, industry associations, sectoral organizations, national government agencies, the academe, civil society organizations, and non‑government organizations.

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