The Philippine Business Conference (PBC) recently submitted a 10-point resolution plan to the national government, highlighting the need for the current administration to future-proof the Filipino workforce.
Held on October 19, this year’s PBC & Expo was the first face-to-face annual business gathering in the Philippines post-pandemic.
With the looming economic challenges brought about by Covid-19, the PBC recommended the government prioritise employment, food security, health, digitalisation, and international trade, among others.
At the event, Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry president George Barcelon urged the government to improve the country’s educational system and ensure the employability of K-12 graduates.
The K to 12 Program covers Kindergarten and 12 years of basic education – six years of primary education, four years of Junior High School, and two years of Senior High Schoo – to provide sufficient time for mastery of concepts and skills, develop lifelong learners, and prepare graduates for tertiary education, middle-level skills development, employment, and entrepreneurship.
Barcelon said that businesses must build a resilient future by utilising digitalisation, enabling enterprise growth, fostering innovation, and upskilling human resources.
“This also means that we also have to future-proof our labour force by equipping them with advanced and relevant skillsets for our long-term future,” Barcelon said.
To future-proof the Philippines’ workforce, PBC has also urged the current administration to partner with the private sector to re-energise the economy by supporting new investments to generate employment.
The PBC also recommended providing assistance to micro-, small- and medium-sized enterprises and amending restrictive and punitive labour laws that will help increase the economy’s productivity.
