The National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) released the Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR) of Republic Act No. 11927 or the Philippine Digital Workforce Competitiveness Act.

The law is mandated to conceptualize and promote policies that would enhance the competitiveness of the digital workforce.

The IRR was approved by the nine members of the Inter-Agency Council (IAC) for the Development and Competitiveness of the Philippine Digital Workforce.

It outlines the establishment of the IAC, chaired by the NEDA and composed of eight other agencies.

The council will serve as the primary planning, coordinating, and implementing body in promoting, developing, and enhancing the competitiveness of the Philippine digital workforce.

The Department of Labor and Employment is tasked to serve as the secretariat to the IAC.

“The strategic and thorough execution of the Philippine Digital Workforce Competitiveness Act will be vital for equipping the workforce with digital technologies and skills and fostering a dynamic innovation ecosystem in the country,” NEDA Secretary Arsenio M. Balisacan said.

The new law also tasked the IAC to formulate the National Roadmap on Digital Technology and Digital Skills, which shall serve as a basis for implementing programs that will upskill, re-skill, and train the digital workforce in the country.

The IAC is also mandated to establish a centralized online portal to harmonize the existing portals of member agencies containing information on training and skills development programs, certification, and scholarship programs.

“These programs will address the gaps identified in digital technology and digital skills mapping, ensuring that all Filipinos have access to and are equipped with the skills and competencies needed to navigate digital content, platforms, digital innovations, entrepreneurship, and technology to meet the ever-evolving demands of the global labor market,” NEDA said.