Quezon City – The Institute for Labor Studies (ILS) attended the 2024 Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE)-Wide Annual Planning Exercise held from February 1 to 2, 2024 at the Occupational Safety and Health Center (OSHC), Quezon City.

The annual planning exercise was graced by the heads and representatives of the different DOLE Bureaus and Offices, Regional Offices, and attached agencies. Ms. Jeanette T. Damo, Executive Director III, represented the Institute.

The primary objectives of the two-day planning event are (1) to assess the Department's 2023 performance and review its 2024 targets and priorities; (2) to identify key issues/gaps, challenges, and opportunities with a particular focus on how the Department can advance its programs and services; and (3) to formulate work and financial plan to execute 2024 budget.

During the activity, DOLE Undersecretary Atty. Benedicto Ernesto R. Bitonio, Jr. presented the issues and action points of the Labor Relations, Policy, and International Affairs and Regional Operations Cluster based on the outputs during their annual cluster planning held from January 17 to 18. Undersecretary Bitonio, Jr. also presented the Institute's Indicative Research Agenda for the fiscal year 2024.

To ensure the Department's operational plan is harmonized, ILS will conduct its 2024 ILS Corporate Planning Activity from February 22 to 23 at the First Pacific Leadership Academy, Antipolo, Rizal.