The Institute for Labor Studies (ILS) held its strategic planning session in Country Chateau Hotel in Tagaytay City, Cavite last August 23-24, 2016.

"As researchers, you need to make your work count. It needs to be of value to someone You cannot be timid about your ideas. Find your champion within the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE)," said Assistant Secretary Katherine Brimon during her keynote speech.

The Institute held the said strategic planning consistent with the Institute’s Quality Management System goals, having been certified ISO 9001:2008 last December 17, 2015. The ILS identified its organizational goals for the next five years, which are anchored on its mandate and are consistent with the 8-Point Labor and Employment Agenda of DOLE Secretary Silvestre Bello.

Prior to the planning, the ILS was also involved in a pre-strategic planning held at City State Tower Hotel in Mabini, Manila last August 16. The ILS employees underwent a leveling of expectations, and more importantly, were tasked with assignments in scanning the ILS internal and external environments that were eventually presented at the strategic planning session proper in Tagaytay City.

At the closing of the two-day planning workshops, OIC-Executive Director Ma. Celeste M. Valderrama reminded the ILS employees to continue to contribute to evidence-based policy and decision making at DOLE through their comprehensive and innovative researches.

"Be moved. Be inspired. Take action."

The strategic planning workshop was facilitated by Arnold Z. David of TÜV Rheinland Philippines, Inc.

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.