Manila – The Institute for Labor Studies successfully closed its ILS Revive & Thrive webinar series with webinar #10 titled “Sustainable societies: Pathways to inclusive and ecologically responsible development” via Zoom last December 15.

Organized by the Employment Research Division, led by its Acting Chief Paulina Kim D. Pacete, the webinar focused on how everyone can contribute to environmental sustainability while educating its viewers about the urgent need for action on environmental degradation and climate change to achieve a future with decent work.

As the country continues to recover amidst the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, government and private sectors alike are made more aware that a future with decent work requires environmental sustainability.

The presenters for the webinar include Mr. Chuck Baclagon, Regional Finance Campaigner, 350.org and Climate Reality Leader (2016), and Ms. Danica Marie Supnet, Lead Analyst for Climate Governance, Institute for Climate and Sustainable Cities (ICSC) and Climate Reality Leader (2016).

Mr. Baclagon’s presentation zeroed in on “Confronting the challenge of climate change through Just Transition to Clean Energy and Green Jobs in the Philippines.” He discussed just transition and climate action based on the realities of science and the principles of justice. The Just Transition plan secures the future and livelihoods of workers and their communities in the transition to a low-carbon economy. The plan also aims to provide better, decent, and greener jobs, continued social protection, and greater job security for all workers affected by global warming and climate change policies.

Ms. Supnet’s presentation, “Finding the nexus: Gender, health, and climate change,” discussed the direct, indirect and undeniable effects of climate change, which also exposed significant gender disparities, particularly on health and human security. She also stressed that climate change’s impact on human security cuts across issues on socio-economic status, population, and gendered roles and responsibilities.

As ways forward, the presenters suggested ensuring gender responsive climate strategies through an integrated impact analysis approach and multi-stakeholder governance as driver for better development policy. Also stressed was strategic resource mobilization through direct access and fund blending as key to facilitating the timely implementation of adaptive programs at the local level.

Ms. Athena Marie E. Son, Labor and Employment Officer I of the Employees Research Division (ERD) hosted the webinar while the open forum was moderated by Mr. Bernard Paul M. Mangulabnan, Senior LEO from the Advocacy and Publications Division.

The ILS launched the Revive & Thrive webinar series in August in line with the Department of Labor and Employment’s (DOLE) contribution to address the socio-economic impact of COVID-19 under the banner theme, “DOLE: Creating Opportunities, Fresh Hope for the Filipino Workforce.”

All ILS Revive and Thrive webinar recordings and presentations can be accessed via this link: http://ils.dole.gov.ph/revive-and-thrive-covid-19-webinar-series/