QUEZON CITY – The Institute for Labor Studies (ILS), the policy research and advocacy arm of the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), closes 2025 with strengthened momentum in labor research, policy development, international cooperation, youth engagement, and institutional governance. Upholding its mandate to promote evidence-based policymaking for decent and productive work, the Institute delivered key achievements that advance the Philippine’ commitment of building an inclusive, innovative, and future-ready workforce.
Advancing Labor Research and Policy Development
ILS capped its annual research cycle with the successful hosting of the 14th DOLE Research Conference, on 15-16 October at The Bayleaf Hotel, Intramuros. With the theme “Gearing Up for an Inclusive, Innovative, and Sustainable Future of Work: Building Inclusive and Sustainable Pathways for a Future-Ready Filipino Workforce,” the conference showcased research-driven policies that promote innovation, productivity, and worker protection aligned with the Marcos Administration’s priorities of advancing decent work for all.
During the conference, eight (8) working papers for Fiscal Year 2025 were presented by ILS researchers, covering studies on women’s economic participation and childcare systems, labor standards compliance practices of companies, social dialogue to improve working conditions in the creative industries, workforce transitions in the coconut export sector, role of job placement offices as strategic employment facilitation partners, and potential effects of introducing economic needs test criteria and opportunities in implementing understudy training and skills development programs in the new rules on employment of foreign nationals. Further, the yearly DOLE-wide research event featured labor and employment related studies of other partner agencies such as the Philippine Institute of Development Studies (PIDS), Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA), International Labour Organization-Manila Office, Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA), and Occupational Safety and Health Center (BWC). The event brought together partners from government agencies, labor and employer organizations, the academe, research community and development partners, reinforcing its role as a national platform for translating research into strategic policy action.
As the Committee’s technical secretariat, the Institute participates in the review, consolidates the DOLE position on various policy instruments such as existing and proposed legislative measures including implementing rules and regulations (IRRs) as well as draft IRRs and Department Orders (DOs). For the 20th Congress, the TCLM produced a number of DOLE positions, and drafted and issued amended existing and new IRRs and DOs on key priority measures. Some of these include the Section 59 of the Magna Carta for Filipino Seafarers, the Caregivers Act, the Eddie Garcia Law, the Alien Employment Permit (AEP), and the Enterprise-Based Education and Training (EBET) framework and technical inputs on wages, freelancers, waste workers, informal economy, among others.
Strengthening Regional Collaboration and International Labor Engagements
Throughout the year, the Institute maintained a strong presence in ASEAN and international labor cooperation activities of the Department. ILS participated in high-level ASEAN labor officials’ meetings, specialized workshops and multilateral dialogues addressing labor mobility, green and digital transitions, inclusive skills development, and labor market policy innovation. This has bolstered the Philippines’ visibility in regional forums while strengthening partnerships that support national labor priorities.
Further advancing its role in labor market governance and policy innovation, the ILS provided technical support during the 2025 World Association of Public Employment Services (WAPES)–Asia-Pacific Regional Conference in Clark, Pampanga. The WAPES conference emphasized the need for adaptive and responsive public employment services amid global labor market shifts. On the other hand, the ILS also supported regional consultations for the review of the Philippine Labor and Employment Plan (PLEP), contributing to the event policy agenda by offering insights grounded in current research and labor market analysis.
Promoting Research Advocacy and Youth Engagement
In support of its advocacy role, the ILS organized the 2025 installment of Trabahong Trending in partnership with the Philippine Institute for Development Studies’ SocioEconomic Research Portal (PIDS-SERP) with the theme, “Shaping Tomorrow’s Workforce: Preparing the Youth for AI, Green Jobs, and Emerging Labor Trends.” Held at Mapúa University in Intramuros, the event gathered more than one hundred students and faculty members and marked the first formal collaboration between ILS and PIDS-SERP-P for Development Policy Research Month. Through this activity, the Institute reaffirmed its commitment to equipping young Filipinos with research-based insights on evolving labor market trends and skills requirements in an increasingly digital and climate-resilient economy.
Championing Just Transition and Climate-Labor Policy Leadership
The Institute continued the country’s leadership role on labor-inclusive climate frameworks, as the Philippines advances toward a climate-resilient and low-carbon economy. Last July, the DOLE and ILS formally launched the updated National Green Jobs Human Resource Development (HRD) Plan 2020–2030 which outlines a strategic vision for preparing the Filipino workforce for the green economy and ensuring a just transition toward sustainable development.
Representing DOLE as Co-Chair of the Just Transition Technical Working Group of the Interagency Steering Committee on Climate Change, the ILS also worked closely with national agencies, workers and employers’ groups, and civil society to integrate decent work pillars as an important element of just transition national climate policy. In relation to this, the Institute actively participated in area-based consultations relative to the development of the Philippine Just Transition Framework co-lead by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) and with the assistance from Asian Development Bank (ADB).
In partnership with the International Labour Organization, the Institute convened a National Pre-COP30 Tripartite Consultation, gathering multisectoral perspectives on how climate change and decarbonization may affect jobs, enterprises, and communities. These consultations informed the Philippine position at COP30 in Belém, Brazil, where ILS serves as co-lead negotiator of the Philippine Delegation in the Just Transition workstream with the Department of Energy. During the negotiations, the Philippines advocated strongly for the establishment of a Just Transition Mechanism to operationalize the United Arab Emirates Just Transition Work Program (UAE-JTWP) to facilitate access of developing countries to climate finance, technology transfer and development, and capacity-building. The Institute further advanced these priorities through its participation in the Third and Fourth Dialogues under the UAE-JTWP held in Panama and Ethiopia, respectively.
Institutional Excellence and Organizational Milestones
The year 2025 also marked significant achievements for the Institute. On its 37th founding anniversary, ILS received major distinctions that reflect its commitment to high-quality public service and institutional management.
The Institute received the Platinum Award from the DOLE Information and Publication Service for outstanding implementation of the DOLE Communication Plan, recognizing its strategic communication capabilities and strong public information performance. It was also recognized as one of the “Outstanding Accounting Offices” for Fiscal Year 2024 by the Association of Government Accountants of the Philippines (AGAP), a testament to its integrity and efficiency in financial management.
Furthermore, the successful completion of its first surveillance audit for ISO 9001:2015 certification affirmed the Institute’s unwavering commitment to international quality management standards and continuous organizational improvement.
Established through Executive Order No. 251 in 1987, the Institute for Labor Studies serves as the policy research and advocacy arm of the Department of Labor and Employment, advancing evidence-based policy research in aid of policy formulation in the areas of labor market efficiency, industrial peace, and social justice. More information about its publications can be accessed at www.ils.dole.gov.ph.
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