Manila – The Interagency Committee for Research and Statistical Matters recently held its 1st Strategic Planning Session last November 24-25 at the Bayleaf Hotel, in Intramuros, Manila.

The two-day event was organized by the Committee Secretariat, the Institute for Labor Studies (ILS) led by its OIC-Executive Director Ma. Celeste M. Valderrama and ILS’ Advocacy and Publications Division (APD).

The welcome address was delivered by Assistant Secretary Alex V. Avila, who also serves as the Committee Chairperson.

“The IAC-RSM’s role in the Department is of utmost importance as it has ensured coherent and coordinated research and statistical activities on labor and employment among the DOLE offices, bureaus and attached agencies. And over the years, since its inception in 2011, the IAC has been able to monitor and support the development and completion of researches in the various areas of labor and employment, all contributing to policy discourse and has resulted in the creation of various laws such as the “Green Jobs Act,” with the end goal of achieving decent work for all.”

Congressman Randolph S. Ting, House Committee Chairman on Labor and Employment, delivered the keynote message and shared with the participants the House Committee’s Legislative Agenda for the Seventeenth Congress, such as strengthening the security of tenure of workers and review the end of contract practice, improving working conditions of workers by promoting health and safety in the workplace, and protecting the vulnerable sectors of the labor force by installing new or strengthening existing mechanisms that will promote their rights and welfare, among others.

“With your help, we hope to back legislation with more comprehensive and updated statistical data and craft legislation which are based on excellent research outputs for us to produce laws and amendments that are relevant, evidence based, and forward looking.”

The event was attended by heads of offices and research designates from the various bureaus, offices and agencies of the Department. The two-day session consisted of an Environment Scanning Input Session on the Future of Work, a stock-taking of the IAC-RSM Accomplishments discussed by ILS OIC-Executive Director Valderrama and a perspective setting on the 8-point Labor and Employment Agenda presented by Planning Services Director Adeline T. De Castro.

The workshop proper produced initial results for key research areas that will be included in the 5-year research agenda. The said output will be presented at the DOLE Senior Labor Officials Meeting.

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 527-3490.