Law Summary
Declaration of State Policy
- Recognizes rapid digital transformation and the impact of AI and automation on industries.
- Aims to enhance skills and competitiveness of the Philippine workforce in human and digital technologies.
- Ensures Filipino workers have access to digital skills and competencies aligned with global standards.
- Encourages digital innovation and entrepreneurship.
- Commits to infrastructure development and collaboration with private stakeholders for upskilling and reskilling.
Definitions of Key Terms
- 21st Century Skills: Critical thinking, problem solving, communication, collaboration, ICT literacy, flexibility, creativity.
- Certification: Attestation of skills by reputable third parties.
- Co-working Facilities: Shared workspaces for digital workforce.
- Digital Workforce: Individuals engaged in remunerated digital work regardless of employment type.
- Digital Labor Platforms: Platforms facilitating digital jobs via open calls or location-based assignments.
- Digital Content: Digital data content including websites, social media, audio, video, software.
- Digital Entrepreneurship: Creating or transforming businesses through novel digital technologies.
- Digital Inclusion: Ensuring marginalized groups have ICT access and empowerment.
- Digital Skills: Behavioral and technical competencies in using digital devices and networks.
- Digital Technology: Electronic devices and services for creating, transmitting, and storing digital information.
- Innovation: New ideas using technology that develop new or improved products, services, or processes.
Development Objectives and Strategies
- Improve digital competence and equip working-age citizens with digital skills including entrepreneurship and remote work.
- Equip Filipinos with both digital and 21st century skills.
- Provide protection and support for continuous skill enhancement to meet global standards.
- Support digital workforce with co-working facilities and concessional loan programs.
- Promote digital inclusion addressing the needs of PWDs, indigenous peoples, senior citizens, and marginalized sectors.
- Ensure multi-sectoral stakeholder consultation in policy and program development for upskilling and reskilling.
Inter-Agency Council for the Digital Workforce
- Established as the primary coordinating body, chaired by NEDA with members including DOLE, DTI, DICT, DOST, DILG, DepEd, CHED, TESDA.
- Responsible for planning, developing, and promoting digital workforce competitiveness.
- Consults with government, industry, and labor sectors to create a national roadmap addressing digital skills gaps.
Powers and Functions of the Inter-Agency Council
- Promote digital workforce development and entrepreneurship support programs.
- Lead nationwide mapping of digital skills, competencies, training needs, and infrastructure.
- Formulate job-skill roadmaps highlighting priority professional areas (e.g., AI, engineering, green jobs).
- Design and implement upskilling/reskilling programs.
- Incentivize technological innovations in agriculture, fisheries, health sector.
- Promote digitization and support MSMEs through technical assistance and loans.
- Provide incentives like scholarships, subsidies for coworking spaces, credit assistance for equipment, and priority access to government programs.
- Establish centralized web portal for training and certification access.
- Create committees and secretariat to facilitate implementation and coordination.
- Conduct ongoing consultation and planning to maintain a highly skilled digital workforce.
Role of Local Government Units (LGUs)
- Mandated to create local policies promoting digital technology and innovation.
- May provide incentives for technological innovations in key sectors.
Role of Public Employment Service Offices (PESOs)
- Develop online platforms for job postings and assistance.
- Facilitate access to digital jobs and maintain local digital skills registries.
- Conduct virtual job fairs to connect workers and employers.
E-Readiness of LGUs
- DICT, DBM, DPWH, among others, tasked to ensure universal access to high-speed internet.
- DILG and DICT to assess e-readiness of local government units to foster a digital workforce ecosystem.
- Prioritize digital infrastructure in government development programs.
Public-Private Partnership in Training and Skills Development
- Council authorized to partner with IT-BPO industry, private companies, and stakeholders.
- Develop training and certification programs in areas such as web development, online teaching, animation, digital marketing, creative design, mobile app development, SEO, virtual assistance, branding, research, transcription, customer service, HR, architecture, management of remote teams, and others.
Development Programs
- Third week of June designated "Digital Workforce Week" to raise awareness on digital jobs, skills, government programs, and innovations.
Support Ecosystem
- Libraries transformed into digital access and training hubs to enhance digital inclusion.
- Establishment of co-working/shared service facilities through government-private sector coordination.
General Provisions
- Implementing rules and regulations to be promulgated within six months by concerned agencies in consultation with stakeholders.
- Annual reporting to Congress on implementation status.
- Funding to be allocated in the General Appropriations Act.
- Repeal and modification of inconsistent laws and regulations.
- Provision for separability in case any part is invalidated.
- Effectivity occurs 15 days after publication in the Official Gazette or newspapers of general circulation.