Manila, December 2, 2023 – The Philippines stands at the forefront of embracing the transformative power of the digital era. Recognizing the rapid acceleration of digitalization and the advent of technologies such as artificial intelligence and automation across various industries, government commits to enhancing the skills and competitiveness of the Filipino workforce in both human and digital realms. In this pursuit, a game-changing policy was passed to assure that all Filipino workers will have access to digital skills and competencies that meet global standards, fostering a culture of digital innovations and entrepreneurship; and to provide the necessary infrastructure and engage in proactive collaboration with private stakeholders.

The Philippine government has taken a significant step towards enhancing its digital workforce’s competitiveness with the enactment of Republic Act No. 11927 on July 30, 2022, also known as the Philippine Digital Workforce Competitiveness Act and eventually with the release of its Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR) which was officially published in the Manila Bulletin Newspaper Volume 610 No. 27 on October 27, 2023.

This milestone marks a significant step forward in the Philippines’ journey towards digital workforce competitiveness. This landmark legislation aims to strengthen the country’s position in the rapidly evolving digital landscape. This landmark law aims to upskill, reskill, and train the Filipino workforce, equipping them with the tools and knowledge essential for thriving in the Fourth Industrial Revolution and securing the Philippines’ position as a competitive and innovative digital powerhouse on the global stage.

The IRR, designed to operationalize the Act, aims to enhance the skills and competitiveness of the Filipino workforce in human development, digital technology, and innovations. It ensures equitable access to digital skills and competencies at par with global standards and encourages digital innovations and entrepreneurship.

The Act is designed to enhance the Philippine digital workforce’s skills and competitiveness, recognizing the transformation in the world of work due to rapid digitalization and technological advances such as artificial intelligence and automation across various industries. It also focuses on improving digital competence for all citizens of working age, equipping them with digital skills including digital entrepreneurship, and ensuring protection and support for the digital workforce.

The IRR focuses on improving digital competence across all citizens of working age and equipping them with essential digital skills, including digital entrepreneurship and remote work capabilities. It also emphasizes the need for continuous upskilling to keep pace with emerging technologies and global standards.

The Act calls for the establishment of the Inter-Agency Council, which will serve as the primary body for promoting and enhancing the competitiveness of the Philippine digital workforce. The Inter-Agency Council for Development and Competitiveness of the Philippine Digital Workforce, chaired by the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA), shall include members from the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT), Department of Science and Technology (DOST), Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG), Department of Education (DepEd), Commission on Higher Education (CHED), and the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA). This Council will serve as the primary body responsible for promoting the development and competitiveness of the Philippine digital workforce.

Highlights of RA 11927 and its IRR:

Digital Technology and Skills Mapping: Led by DOLE, a comprehensive nationwide digital technology and digital skills mapping will be conducted to identify available digital skills and competencies, analyzes skills gaps, and determines training needs, focusing on the demographics of the workforce in digital technology sectors, in collaboration with the DICT, TESDA, DOST, DILG, DTI and other stakeholders.

This mapping aims to identify the available digital skills and competencies in the current workforce, including gender-related aspects. It will analyze skills gaps by matching the supply of digital skills with the demands of the labor market, industry needs, and emerging job skills. Additionally, the initiative will determine the training requirements for the workforce in areas like re-skilling, upskilling, re-tooling, and other training programs. It will also analyze the demographics of the workforce in digital technology sectors and identify necessary digital platforms and ICT infrastructure to ensure the digital workforce’s accessibility.

The DICT, consulting with DOLE, TESDA, DepEd, DOST, and DTI, will develop the mapping parameters and instruments for this initiative. The mapping activities are set to commence immediately following the effectivity of these Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR).

National Roadmap on Digital Technology and Skills: Based on the mapping results, the Council will formulate a roadmap containing strategies for skill development in specific professional areas, matching labor market demand with supply, and providing scholarships and subsidies for training.

Upskilling, Re-skilling, and Training Programs: DICT and DOST, in collaboration with other stakeholders, will develop and implement programs to address identified skills gaps and ensure that all Filipinos have access to global standard skills and competencies. The implementation of training, skills development, and certification programs is being expanded to cover a wide range of areas, reflecting the diverse needs of the digital era. These areas include web development and designing, online teaching and tutoring, animation, and various forms of content creation such as writing, copywriting, and more.

In digital marketing, the focus extends to e-commerce, sales, and marketing. Creative design is another significant area, encompassing graphic designing, 3D modeling and CAD, game development, logo design and illustration, as well as audio and video production. Additionally, programs will cover mobile application development, search engine optimization, and virtual assistance, which involves administrative support or assistance. Branding and public relations, social media coordination, community management, web research, business intelligence, and data analytics are also included. Essential skills such as transcription, data entry, article and blog writing, customer service, and technical support are part of the curriculum.

Moreover, the programs will address human resource management and systems, architecture services, and other professional services offered via the internet. They will also include the management of teams of remote workers and other competencies necessary for companies and individuals in alignment with the “Telecommuting Act” (Republic Act No. 11165). Under the law, scope is flexible to accommodate any evolving skills requirements identified by the Council.

A centralized online portal will be established to provide information on training and skills development, certifications, and scholarship programs.

Public-Private Partnerships in Training and Skills Development: The Council is authorized to collaborate with various stakeholders for training, skills development, and certification programs in diverse areas such as web development, digital marketing, creative design, and mobile app development.

Digital Workforce Week: The third week of June is designated as Digital Workforce Week to coincide with the National Information and Communications Technology (ICT) Month promulgated under Proclamation No. 1521, Series of 2008, to promote awareness on evolving jobs and skills requirements in digital technology and innovations, government assistance, trainings and certifications, and digital career and business opportunities.

Support Ecosystem: Digital Libraries and Learning Hubs will be established by the DICT and the National Library of the Philippines to enhance digital inclusion and skills development.

The DTI, in coordination with the DICT and relevant government agencies and in partnership with the private sector, shall establish co-working or shared service facilities to support the development and enhancement of digital skills and competencies of the workers and future members of the workforce.

Expanded Role of LGUs. – All LGUs shall create local policies supporting and promoting the growth and development of digital technology, digital careers and innovations in their respective communities, which may include providing incentives for technological innovations for agri-fishery industries and hospital care or public health services.

E-Readiness of LGUs. — The DICT, Department of Budget and Management (DBM), Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) and other relevant government agencies shall ensure universal access to high-speed, quality, and affordable internet by prioritizing and facilitating the development of ICT infrastructure in the localities across the country.

The DILG and DICT shall jointly assess the e-readiness of all municipalities, cities, provinces, and regions to ensure a thriving digital workforce ecosystem. The national government shall prioritize the construction of digital infrastructure to foster digital-based economic activity under their infrastructure programs or initiative

Role of PESOs. – The role of Public Employment Service Offices (PESOs) has been significantly enhanced to adapt to the digital age. All PESOs are now tasked with developing and maintaining a dedicated webpage where PESO-accredited employers can register and publish job vacancies. Additionally, they are responsible for creating a digital application help desk, providing job seekers with feedback or assistance for their job applications.

To further support local employment, PESOs are encouraged to facilitate access to jobs at crowd work, crowdsource, or work in-demand applications. Moreover, they will create a localized digital technology and digital skills registry, promoting listing in the locality to assist in the availment of local incentives. In line with these digital initiatives, PESOs are also expected to conduct virtual job fairs, thereby expanding the scope and reach of their employment services.

Incentives: The Inter-Agency Council is dedicated to supporting and providing innovative strategies, including incentives, to foster the growth of digital technology, digital careers, and innovations among students, youth, and workers. These incentives encompass a range of opportunities and supports:

1. Scholarships and Subsidies: Full or partial scholarships or subsidies will be provided for appropriate training and certifications, applicable both locally and internationally.
2. Co-working and Shared Service Facilities: There will be full or partial subsidies for the use of co-working or shared service facilities, equipment, and services offered by both government and private entities.
3. Credit Assistance: Low-interest credit assistance from government financial institutions will be available for acquiring essential digital work equipment, including computers, hardware, and software programs.
4. Priority Access to DTI Support: In collaboration with the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) and the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT), priority access will be given to DTI support and assistance under its program for Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs), digital entrepreneurs, and tech startups or innovators. This includes incubation programs and support in terms of funding, skills development, and business network connections.
5. Additional Incentives: The Council will also issue other incentives as needed to promote, develop, and enhance digital technology and digital skills across various industries and business sectors.

This comprehensive approach aims to create a robust digital ecosystem conducive to learning, innovation, and entrepreneurship, aligning with the national goal of advancing the country’s digital capabilities.

The passage of RA 11927 is a significant development in the Philippines’ commitment to fostering a digitally skilled and competitive workforce, aligning with the country’s vision of a technologically advanced and inclusive society.

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Definition of Terms under Republic Act. No.11927

21st-century skills refer to skills that are required by new, evolving, and emerging jobs, including but not limited to critical thinking, problem-solving, good communication, collaboration, information and technology literacy, flexibility and adaptability, innovativeness, green skills, and creativity, among others;

Certification refers to any physical or digital attestation of an individual’s knowledge, proficiency, or competence in a certain subject matter or skill set by a reputable third party, which can be public, private or non-profit in nature;

Co-working or shared service facilities refer to shared workspaces equipped with the necessary facilities and support services for the needs of the digital workforce;

Crowdsource refers to the means of obtaining information or input into a particular task or project by enlisting the services of a large number of people, either paid or unpaid, typically via the internet;

Crowdwork refers to a type of work where execution is done by a large number of people and each contributes a small amount of labor;

Digital labor platforms refer to digital technology-based platforms that facilitate the production, trade, and commercial exchange of digital content, digital products, or other goods and services arising from digital transactions. This includes web-based and online platforms where work is outsourced through an open call to geographically-dispersed individuals and location-based online applications where work is allocated to individuals in a specific geographical area;

Digital content refers to any type of content that exists in the form of digital data that are stored, and can be created, viewed, processed, distributed, modified, and stored using computers, the cloud, and other digital technologies. The content can be either free or paid content such as, but not limited to, webpages and websites, social media, data and databases, digital audio, such as MP3s or MP4s, e-books, digital imagery, digital video, video games, computer programs, and software;

Digital entrepreneurship refers to the creation of new ventures or the transformation of existing businesses by developing novel digital technologies and/or novel usage of such technologies;

Digital inclusion refers to the process of ensuring that all members of society, especially those from disadvantaged and marginalized groups, have access to and are empowered to utilize and benefit from state-of-the-art information and communications technology (ICT);

Digital Library is a facility containing a collection of documents in organized electronic form made available through the internet or in other digital storage media;

Digital skills refer to a range of skills, encompassing a combination of behaviors, expertise, know-how, work habits, character traits, dispositions, and critical understanding of the use of digital devices, communication applications, and networks to create, manipulate, access, and manage information;

Digital technology refers to any product or service that can be used to create, view, aggregate, manipulate, distribute, modify, store, retrieve, transmit, and receive information electronically in a digital form, such as personal computers, the cloud, and devices like desktop, laptop, netbook, tablet computer, smartphones, games consoles, media players, e-book readers, as well as digital television, robots, personal assistant smart devices, and smart boards;

Digital workforce refers to any natural person who engages in remunerated activity through the use of digital skills and digital technology, regardless of work or employment arrangement, whether as a regular employee of a company or as a freelancer;

Digitization refers to the conversion of text, pictures, or sound into a digital form that can be processed by a computer;

Digitalization refers to the adaptation of a system, process, and business model to be operated with the use of computers and/or the internet;

Emerging jobs refer to new form of work activities created as a result of new processes, behaviors, and technologies;

Evolving jobs refer to work activities that undergo gradual changes to conform to new processes, behaviors, and technologies;

Emerging skills refer to abilities for which demand is increasing in existing or new occupations (CEDEFOP, 2014);

Fab Lab is a digital fabrication laboratory designed to help grassroots communities translate their design ideas into physical forms with the help of technology;

Green Jobs are decent jobs that contribute to preserving or restoring the environment, be they in traditional sectors such as manufacturing and construction, or in new, emerging sectors such as renewable energy and energy efficiency;

Green Skills are the knowledge, abilities, values, and attitudes needed to live in, develop, and support a sustainable and resource-efficient society;

Innovation refers to the creation of new ideas using new or existing technologies that results in the development of new or improved products, processes, or services, which are then spread or transferred across the market;

Learning Hub is a facility provided with the appropriate digital infrastructure and complete with physical and virtual resources that provide formal and informal opportunities for training, access to training resources, and for learners to come together with peers, trainers, and experts;

Learning Management Systems is a software application for the administration, documentation, tracking, reporting, automation, and delivery of educational courses, training programs, materials, or learning and development programs;

Public-Private Partnership is a contractual agreement between the Government and the private sector geared towards financing, designing, implementing, and operating training facilities, and provisioning training services traditionally provided by the public sector;

Work in demand refers to work made available at any time by someone who needs a job done.