Manila –The Institute for Labor Studies (ILS) took part in the regional dialogue, “Green growth for jobs and social inclusion: making the case for a just transition in Asia,” held last September 25-27 at the Pan Pacific Hotel in Malate, Manila.

ILS OIC-Executive Director Ms. Ahmma Charisma L. Satumba, ILS Deputy Executive Director Atty. Mary Grace L. Riguer, and Ms. Brenalyn A. Peji, ILS Chief Labor and Employment Officer, joined DOLE Assistant Secretary for Policy and Support Alex V. Avila, National Wages and Productivity Commission Deputy Executive Director Jeanette Tana-Damo and DOLE-Bureau of Local Employment Director Dominique Rubia-Tutay

Organized by the International Labor Organization (ILO), the three-day event consisted of a series of workshops, presentations, and panel discussions, which facilitated an exchange of knowledge and experiences on green job initiatives in the Philippines and other Asian countries such as Malaysia, Indonesia and Mongolia.

Assistant Secretary Avila delivered a message on behalf of Secretary Silvestre Bello III, giving emphasis on the commitment of DOLE to perform its human resource development mandates provided for in the law. On the second day, Director Tutay, representing Assistant Secretary Avila, gave a presentation on the Green Jobs Act and the proposed outline of the Green Jobs Human Resource Development Plan.

The event was part of the technical support program, ILO Green Jobs Programme. The Philippines has been receiving support on green jobs from ILO since 2009. Recently, the Philippines was selected as one of the pilot countries for the implementation of the ILO policy guidelines on “Just Transition towards Environmentally Sustainable Economies and Societies for All”.

ILS has published numerous papers on green jobs, including the governance strategy report, “From Jobs to Green Jobs: A Just Transition Framework” and “Assessing the Green Potential and Readiness: The Case of the Construction Sector,” The papers focused on providing a comprehensive background on the status of green jobs awareness, potential and readiness of the Philippines.

The Institute for Labor Studies (ILS) is the policy research and advocacy arm of the Department of Labor and Employment. For more information about ILS products and services, please visit: http://ils.dole.gov.ph or call Advocacy and Publications Division at tel.no. 527-3490.