ILO director-general pencils in first official visit to Philippines

MANILA, Philippines — Gilbert Houngbo will visit the Philippines this month for the first time in his official capacity as director-general of the International Labour Organization.

Houngbo will be in the country between June 25-28, coinciding with the 75th anniversary of the Philippines’ ILO membership.

In a statement on Friday, the ILO noted that Hougbo will meet with President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., Labor Secretary Bienvenido Laguesma, Department of Migrant Workers Secretary Susan Ople and other senior government officials.

“Mr Houngbo will emphasize the need for a new social contract to address growing inequalities and persistent poverty through a Global Coalition for Social Justice,” the statement read. 

The ILO said that the director-general would also do a dialogue with representatives of workers’ and employers’ organizations in the country.

Houngbo’s visit will also entail meeting Masatsugu Asakawa, the Asian Development Bank president. Aside from that, he will meet with heads of agencies and members of the UN country team and the UN resident coordinator Gustavo González. 

The ILO indicated that Houngbo will make a stop at the Migrant Worker Resource Centre in Quezon City.