Creating a competitive digital workforce in the Philippines

According to Senate President Juan Miguel Zubiri, Bill 1834, or the Philippine Digital Workforce Competitiveness Act, was sent to Malacañang (official residence of the President of the Philippines) on June 29, the day before President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr took office, but neither he nor his predecessor signed or vetoed it, allowing it to lapse into law more than a month later.

The measure establishes the Inter-Agency Council for Development and Competitiveness of Philippine Digital Workforce, which will lead the promotion, development, and enhancement of the competitiveness of Filipinos in digital technology and innovations.

It will be led by the National Economic and Development Authority with the Department of Labour and Employment, Department of Trade and Industry, Department of Information and Communications Technology, Department of Science and Technology, Department of the Interior and Local Government, Department of Education, Commission on Higher Education, and Technical Education and Skills Development Authority as members.

The new law authorises the government to enter public-private partnerships with industry experts, IT-BPO associations, private companies, and other stakeholders to plan and implement training, skills development, and certification programmes for digital careers.

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It also mandates local government units, with the help of Public Employment Service Offices, to formulate local policies that support and promote the growth and development of digital technology, as well as digital careers and innovations in their respective communities, according to GMA News.