Panglao, Bohol – The Institute for Labor Studies joined the regional pre-summit consultation meeting in the Visayas region, together with the Bureau of Local Employment, Planning Service and regional offices of the Department of Labor and Employment, on May 15 to 16, 2024, at Henan Hotel, Panglao, Bohol.

The event is the first consultation held in preparation for the upcoming National Employment Summit. Regional Director Lilia A. Estillore of the DOLE Regional Office No. VII welcomed and extended gratitude to the participants for their invaluable contributions in providing job opportunities to Filipinos. Undersecretary Carmela I. Torres of the Employment Human Resource Development Cluster led the discussions of the core agenda, and the objectives of the consultation to translate national-level employment policies into regional action plans, anchored on the context of the Labor and Employment Plan (LEP) 2023-2028. The consultation aimed to gather and consolidate inputs to the 10-year Trabaho Para sa Bayan Plan, and develop a Regional Results Matrix 2024-2028 to operationalize the LEP.

Regional Director Maria Elena C. Abron of the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Region Office No. VII presented the Industrialization Plan and Strategic Investment Priorities, followed by Regional Director Jennifer Bretaña of the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA), who provided an overview of the Regional Development Plan.

Director Adeline T. Castro of the DOLE Planning Service facilitated the workshop on the formulation of inputs crucial for the 10-year TPB plan. The workshop concluded with participants presenting their outputs to develop and strengthen strategically important industries toward employment promotion, access, and generation of quality jobs. Assistant Secretary Lenard Constantine Serrano officially concluded the event highlighting the need for cooperative efforts in addressing employment challenges.

Participants of the consultations included Regional Development Councils, regional industry associations, regional federations, and workers’ associations, members of the youth, women, informal economy, persons with disabilities, indigenous peoples, senior citizens, and other groups in vulnerable situations.

The next set of consultations will be conducted in Luzon and Mindanao in June 2024.

###