President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. promised that the government will continue to upskill and reskill the technical expertise of Filipino workers to help them keep up with the increasing involvement of artificial intelligence in the digital economy, as he also expressed optimism that a 10-year national employment roadmap will result in the creation of three million jobs before he steps down in 2028.
At the 2024 National Employment Summit, the President conceded that new technologies, AI included, “changed the priorities of every economy.” He however assured the public that the government will bring workers to the “skill levels that are required so we can compete in the job markets” here and in other countries.
“Rest assured that this administration will continue to ensure the sustainability of jobs, upskilling and reskilling of our workers to maintain the productivity and the edge of our labor force and our economy,” the President said.
He also expressed optimism that the implementation of the 10-year national employment masterplan under Republic Act No. 11962 or the Trabaho Para sa Bayan or TPB Act will drive employment upwards towards economic recovery. He expects it to create quality jobs, with special emphasis on ensuring workers’ welfare, empowerment, competitiveness, and security in all sectors of the labor sector.
The President also called on government agencies and stakeholders in the labor sector to “lay the groundwork that will ensure that the next decade will be a decade of meaningful employment and economic growth.”
What exactly the government will do to upskill and reskill Filipino workers remains to be seen, as we are still seeing how AI and other emerging technologies and trends will reshape the labor sector, but it is an issue that has to be addressed as soon as possible, especially in a country with a sizeable population where the labor force and industry can still take advantage of the demographic sweet spot. If we can quickly adapt and identify the opportunities that AI and other technologies can provide, instead of fighting it or just complaining, we can certainly leverage the strengths of our people if we equip them properly, and in a timely fashion.
Let us hope that the people responsible for adapting and upgrading the skills and competencies of the labor sector are up to the challenge that is being posed by AI and technology.*
