AN ACT TO ENHANCE THE PHILIPPINE DIGITAL WORKFORCE COMPETITIVENESS, ESTABLISHING FOR THE PURPOSE AN INTER-AGENCY COUNCIL FOR DEVELOPMENT AND COMPETITIVENESS OF PHILIPPINE DIGITAL WORKFORCE AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES

Eighteenth Congress
Third Regular Session

Begun and held in Metro Manila, on Monday, the twenty-sixth day of July, two thousand twenty one.

[ REPUBLIC ACT NO. 11927, July 30, 2022 ]

AN ACT TO ENHANCE THE PHILIPPINE DIGITAL WORKFORCE COMPETITIVENESS, ESTABLISHING FOR THE PURPOSE AN INTER-AGENCY COUNCIL FOR DEVELOPMENT AND COMPETITIVENESS OF PHILIPPINE DIGITAL WORKFORCE AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in Congress assembled:

ARTICLE I
STATE POLICIES AND BASIC PRINCIPLES

Section 1. Short Title. — This Act shall be known as the "Philippine Digital Workforce Competitiveness Act."

Section 2. Declaration of State Policy. — The State, recognizing the transformation in the world of work due to rapid acceleration of digitalization and advances in technologies such as artificial intelligence and automation across range of industries and sectors, shall enhance the skills and competitiveness of the Philippine workforce in human, and digital technology and innovations. In furtherance thereof, the State shall ensure that all Filipino workers have access to and are provided with digital skills and competencies that are at par with global standards and shall encourage digital innovations and entrepreneurship. To this end, the State shall provide the necessary infrastructure and, in collaboration with the private stakeholders, shall undertake the upskilling, re-skilling and training of the Filipino workforce on digital technology and innovations for employability and competitiveness in the Fourth Industrial Revolution.

ARTICLE II
DEFINITIONS OF TERMS

Section 3. Definition of Terms. — As used in this Act:

ARTICLE III
DEVELOPMENT OBJECTIVES AND STRATEGIES

Section 4. Development of the Digital Workforce. — In developing and ensuring the competitiveness of Philippine digital workforce, the State shall:

ARTICLE IV
INTER-AGENCY COUNCIL FOR DEVELOPMENT
AND COMPETITIVENESS OF PHILIPPINE
DIGITAL WORKFORCE

Section 5. Inter-Agency Council for Development and Competitiveness of Philippine Digital Workforce. — There is hereby established an Inter-Agency Council for Development and Competitiveness of Philippine Digital Workforce, hereinafter referred to as the "Inter-Agency Council." It shall be chaired by the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) and shall be composed of the following government agencies as members: the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT), the Department of Science and Technology (DOST), the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG), the Department of Education (DepEd), the Commission on Higher Education (CHED), and the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA).

The Inter-Agency Council shall be the primary planning, coordinating and implementing body in the promotion, development, enhancement and competitiveness of the Philippine digital workforce. It shall ensure that all Filipino youth, students and workers have access to and are provided with skills and competencies in digital contents, platforms and technology that are at par with global standards, and shall encourage digital innovations and entrepreneurship. It shall consult and collaborate with all stakeholders from the government, industry and labor sector in the development and implementation of a national roadmap on upskilling, re-skilling and training of the Filipino workforce to address the skills gaps, particularly in digital technology and digital entrepreneurship.

Section 6. Powers and Functions. — The Inter-Agency Council shall have the following powers and functions:

ARTICLE V
ROLE OF THE LOCAL GOVERNMENT UNITS (LGUs)

Section 7. 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.

Section 8. Role of Public Employment Service Offices (PESOs). — All PESOs shall:

Section 9. 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.

For this purpose, the national government shall prioritize the construction of digital infrastructure to foster digital-based economic activity under their infrastructure programs or initiatives.

ARTICLE VI
PUBLIC-PRIVATE PARTNERSHIP IN TRAINING
AND SKILLS DEVELOPMENT

Section 10. Public-Private Partnership in Trainings and Skills Development. — The Inter-Agency Council is hereby authorized to enter into public-private partnerships with experts, information technology-business process outsourcing (IT-BPO) industry associations, private companies and other stakeholders in the formulation and implementation of training, skills development, and certification programs, covering areas, including but not limited to:

ARTICLE VII
DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMS

Section 11. Digital Workforce Week. — The third week of June shall be designated as the 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.

ARTICLE VIII
SUPPORT ECOSYSTEM

Section 12. Digital Libraries and Learning Hubs. — The DICT and the National Library of the Philippines shall promote the role of libraries in improving digital inclusion and transform these libraries as providers of digital access, trainings, including those for certifications, and support for the development and enhancement of digital skills and competencies of the workers and future members of the workforce.

Section 13. Co-Working or Shared Service Facilities. — The DTI, in coordination with 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.

ARTICLE IX
GENERAL PROVISIONS

Section 14. Implementing Rules and Regulations. — Within six (6) months from the effectivity of this Act, the NEDA, DOLE, DTI, DICT, DOST, DILG, DepEd, CHED, TESDA, in consultation with relevant government agencies and private sector stakeholders, shall promulgate the necessary rules and regulations for the implementation of this Act.

Section 15. Reportorial Requirement. — The Inter-Agency Council and all implementing agencies shall submit a report to Congress not later than June 30 of each year on the status of the implementation of this Act.

Section 16. Appropriations. — The amount necessary for the implementation of the provisions of this Act shall be included in the General Appropriations Act for the year following the approval of this Act.

Section 17. Repealing Clause. — All other laws, decrees, executive orders and rules and regulations contrary to or inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are hereby repealed or modified accordingly.

Section 18. Separability Clause. — If any provision of this Act is held invalid or unconstitutional, the same shall not affect the validity and effectivity of the other provisions hereof.

Section 19. Effectivity. — This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its publication in the Official Gazette or in two (2) newspapers of general circulation.

Approved,

This Act was passed by the Senate of the Philippines as Senate Bill No. 1834 on May 30, 2022 and adopted by the House of Representatives as an amendment to House Bill No. 6926 on May 31, 2022.

Approved: Lapsed into law on JUL 30 2022 without the signature of the President, in accordance with Article VI Section 27 (1) of the Constitution.

RODRIGO ROA DUTERTE
President of the Philippines