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Manila Bulletin devider Business devider Trade & Industry devider PEZA eyes global competitiveness with Unilab pharma training pact

PEZA eyes global competitiveness with Unilab pharma training pact

Published Feb 11, 2026 04:49 pm
The Philippine Economic Zone Authority (PEZA) is partnering with the charitable arm of the country’s largest drugmaker to retrain industrial workers, part of government push to transform the nation into a regional hub for medicine manufacturing.
In a statement, the investment promotion agency said it signed a memorandum of understanding with Unilab Foundation Inc. on Feb. 2 to standardize health-sector competencies across the country’s various economic zones.
Under the MOU, the two entities agreed to strengthen the workforce capabilities of Filipino workers as part of the government’s broader effort to advance pharmaceutical manufacturing.
Specifically, the agreement serves as a framework to align workers’ competencies with the pharmaceutical sector, including advanced production and quality systems.
It also aims to enhance the country’s readiness for emerging drug technologies and evolving regulatory requirements.
“This partnership will position the Philippines as a regional hub for advanced pharmaceutical manufacturing and innovation by strengthening research and development, quality production, and artificial intelligence-enabled workforce,” said PEZA Director General Tereso Panga.
He said this will help the Philippines become a “net exporter of pharmaceutical products while helping lower the cost of medicines for Filipinos.”
Through the MOU, locators within the country’s ecozones are expected to see improved operational efficiency, higher product quality and patient safety, and robust occupational health and safety standards.
With this, PEZA said ULF is well-positioned to be the best partner for this initiative, given its programs focused on enhancing health education, inclusive workforce development, and Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) capability-building.
“This makes Unilab a key partner in elevating the country’s competitiveness in the global pharma and life sciences sectors,” said PEZA.
In a social media post, ULF said the partnership with the PEZA is part of its commitment under the Manufacturing Development Network (MDev), the public-private program aimed at creating a future-ready workforce.
“Through the MDev initiatives and PEZA, we are transforming our local workers into global professionals ready to navigate the complexities of advanced manufacturing and of the future,” it said.
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