PSAC, PBBM Gov’t Collaborate to Create New Jobs for Filipinos by 2028

THE PRIVATE SECTOR ADVISORY COUNCIL – JOBS SECTOR BRINGS FORTH A TRANSFORMATIVE VISION FOR JOBS IN THE PHILIPPINES WITH A COMPREHENSIVE SET OF RECOMMENDATIONS TO PRESIDENT MARCOS AND GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS ON AUGUST 17, 2023, AT THE MALACAÑANG PALACE. (PHOTO FROM RTVM)

During a routine meeting with President Bongbong Marcos (PBBM), the Private Sector Advisory Council – Jobs (PSAC – Jobs) highlighted its collaboration with the Marcos administration to increase the possibility of creating over 2 million direct jobs for Filipinos by 2028.

The meeting focused on priority sectors for the Philippines to become a significant global player while also retaining, upscaling, and creating more jobs.

Under a proposed roadmap of PSAC and the IT & Business Process Association Philippines (IBPAP), the Philippines is set to emerge as a global leader in the digital domain, bolstered by a targeted approach that envisions the creation of one million additional Information Technology and Business Process Management (IT-BPM) jobs by 2028 and a total of 2.5 million employment opportunities, triggering a cascade of growth and prosperity across various sectors of the economy. These positions will, in turn, stimulate the generation of at least 550,000 new IT-BPM jobs in the countryside and 6.3 million indirect job opportunities across various industries such as food, logistics, real estate, retail, and transportation. The ripple effect of this initiative is expected to significantly contribute to the nation’s economic development.

“By the IBPAP numbers, the realization of this bold vision is projected to contribute Php 169 billion in annual personal income tax and inject 8.9% growth into the Philippine Gross Domestic Product (GDP). This transformative undertaking exemplifies a commitment to harnessing the potential of the Filipino workforce and leveraging technology for the nation’s progress,” said PSAC Lead Convenor and Aboitiz Group President and CEO Sabin Aboitiz.

The allocation of direct scholarship funds towards IT-BPM training and upskilling, with support from the Office of the Presidential Assistant on Investment and Economic Affairs (OPAIEA) and the Private Sector Jobs & Skills Corp (PCORP), is among these recommendations. The goal is to train 500,000 individuals annually with a budget of Php 4 billion.

The synergy among the Department of Education (DepEd), Commission on Higher Education (CHED), and Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) to enhance enterprise-based training programs is also recommended. This recommendation includes extending Senior High School immersion from 80 to 640 hours, promoting higher education internships, and fostering apprenticeships.

While the implementation of these recommendations requires collaborative effort between the government and private sectors, PSAC – Jobs and IBPAP earnestly call for joint support and collective action to drive innovation, enhance competitiveness, and enable the Philippine workforce through AI upskilling and forward-looking interventions.

In presenting this roadmap to PBBM, PSAC – Jobs and IBPAP affirm their commitment to shaping a future-ready Philippines, where cutting-edge technology, workforce empowerment, and economic growth seamlessly converge.

Other PSAC recommendations also emphasize industries that could boost job creation. One of these industries is agriculture, where synergies between the private sector and the Department of Agriculture play a crucial role. The ongoing study to help develop the habal-habal and motorcycle taxi program could generate one million jobs. The recommendation also incorporates private sector participation in which it aims to connect an estimated 200,000 agri MSMEs and can generate over 400,000 additional jobs.

The council also proposed the improvement of the Philippines’ Shipping Registry, through legislation that could enable a robust administrative framework to facilitate maritime trade.

The council also supports the reinstatement of PEZA’s one-stop-shop role, which aims to provide streamlined services to foreign companies in economic zones.

All these, among other comprehensive recommendations, were presented by PSAC’s Job Sector. PBBM and government officials are poised to deliberate on these recommendations and explore their implementation to drive the Philippines forward as a global economic powerhouse.