QUEZON CITY – Institute for Labor Studies (ILS) Executive Director III Jeanette T. Damo underscored the Institute’s mandate and key research initiatives during her guesting on Aksyon DOLE sa DZMM on 13 December 2025, held at the ABS-CBN Compound in Diliman, Quezon City.

Hosted by Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) Assistant Secretary Lennard Constantine C. Serrano and renowned journalist and broadcaster Ms. Doris Bigornia, the program provided a platform for the Institute to highlight the critical role of research in evidence-based policymaking.

During the interview, Executive Director Damo emphasized the importance of conducting timely and responsive studies on emerging labor and employment issues such as artificial intelligence (AI), mental health, climate change, and green jobs.

“Napakahalaga po ng panananaliksik at pag-aaral lalo na po sa mga napapanahong isyu patungkol sa labor and employment gaya ng Artificial Intelligence, mental health, at climate change at green jobs. Bago po tayo makalikha ng isang polisiya, dapat ito po ay nakabatay sa solid at masusing pananaliksik upang masiguro na ito ay akma at tumutugon sa mga tunay na isyu ng paggawa,” Executive Director Damo said.

When asked by Ms. Bigornia how ILS promotes its research initiatives to stakeholders and the general public, Executive Director Damo shared that the Institute regularly conducts an annual research conference and actively engages various sectors.

“Kami po ay nagsasagawa ng taunang research conference at nag-iimbita ng mga kinatawan mula sa iba’t ibang sektor—mga manggagawa, employers, investors, research communities, at legislative bodies,” she noted. She further stressed that advocacy and stakeholder engagement are integral to the Institute’s work.

“Isa po sa mandato namin ang adbokasiya. Mahalaga po na maintindihan ng aming stakeholders—lalo na ang mga manggagawa, social partners, at employers—ang aming mga pag-aaral. Sila po ay mahalagang bahagi ng aming konsultasyon, interviews, at data-gathering bilang mga key informants,” Executive Director Damo added.

In response to DOLE Assistant Secretary Serrano’s question on the formulation of the Institute’s research agenda, Executive Director Damo explained that ILS follows a systematic and policy-driven process.

“Ginagabayan po kami ng Philippine Labor and Employment Plan 2023–2028 sa pagpili ng aming research agenda. Kada taon, nagsasagawa po kami ng walong full-blown research studies na kailangang ma-prioritize. Bahagi rin po ng aming proseso ang Technical Committee on Legislative Matters (TCLM), na nagsusuri at nagbibigay ng teknikal na inputs sa mga panukalang batas kaugnay ng paggawa,” she explained.

Before the close of the program, Executive Director Damo expressed her gratitude to the hosts for the opportunity to showcase the Institute’s work and contribution to labor policymaking.

Aksyon DOLE sa DZMM airs every Friday on DZMM Radyo Patrol 630 and DZMM Teleradyo.

Now on its 38th year, the ILS continues to advance evidence-based policymaking by effectively bridging research, policy, and practice.

The research studies and knowledge products of ILS may be downloaded for free through its official website at https://ils.dole.gov.ph/.

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