Manila, Philippines - The Institute for Labor Studies (ILS) hosted the Department of Labor and Employment’s (DOLE) flag raising ceremony highlighting National Bible Day observance last January 28, 2019 at the Local Governance Learning Center (LGLC) at the Blas Ople Hall in Intramuros, Manila.

The event was attended by DOLE officials headed by DOLE Secretary Silvestre H. Bello III, Undersecretary for Legal, International, Legislative and Media Affairs Cluster Claro A. Arellano, Assistant Secretary for Human Capital Development, Overseas Employment Administration and Policy Support Cluster Federico V. Abuan, Jr., Assistant Secretary Workers Protection, Human Resource and Internal Auditing Services Cluster Alex V. Avila, and OIC-Assistant Secretary for Labor Relations, Special Concerns, and Regional Operations Cluster Ma. Karina Perida-Trayvilla.

ILS Executive Director Ahmma Charisma Lobrin-Satumba led the invocation which was followed by the singing of the Philippine National Anthem.

The ceremony was highlighted by the Institute’s 2018 Accomplishments, particularly its researches on Employment, Labor Relations and Labor Standards, Social Protection, Migration, and Labor Market Governance. The video also underlined a total of 351 Technical Advisory Support outputs, alongside 24 advocacy events.

Also, in line with the observance of National Bible Day by virtue of Republic Act 11163, which designates the last Monday of January as a special working holiday, a song number was rendered by Ms. Diday Garcellano, followed by the distribution of free bibles for interested attendees.

The Institute for Labor Studies (ILS) is the policy research and advocacy arm of the Department of Labor and Employment. For more information on this story, please contact the Advocacy and Publications Division at 527-3590.