Manila – The Institute for Labor Studies (ILS) continued its adoption of a Work From Home (WFH) scheme this April while ensuring the fulfillment of its mandate and services in undertaking policy research for the Department of Labor and Employment.

Following the declaration of the President putting the entire Luzon Island under Enhanced Community Quarantine, the Institute started to observe a work-from-home arrangement on March 16 through Administrative Order No. 36 signed by Executive Director Ahmma Charisma Lobrin-Satumba.

The Institute exhausted online tools and other telecommuting platforms to continue its business operations. Both internal and external meetings were conducted via Zoom platform, including its hiring and procurement processes.

Executive Director Lobrin-Satumba, with OIC-Deputy Executive Director Patrick Patriwirawan, Jr., also worked closely with DOLE Senior officials by providing inputs in crafting and rolling out the Department’s COVID19 responses, starting with a key mapping of COVID19 strategies by countries gathered by the Institute’s research employees.

Following AO 36, ILS employees were also advised to strictly observe precautionary measures against COVID19, and to consult doctor immediately for proper medical advice and inform Management as soon as they exhibit symptoms such as colds, throat pain, headache, diarrhea, fever and other flu-like symptoms.