President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has directed a strategic focus on creating one million digital jobs by 2028 as proposed by the Private Sector Advisory Council (PSAC).
In a statement, PSAC said it presented to the President a proposal that aims to significantly enhance internet connectivity and create one million digital jobs in a meeting last Friday.
To kickstart this digital transformation strategy, PSAC will tap leading enterprises like Ayala, SM Group, National University and Mapua for the 10,000 Digital Civil Servants project which will boost capabilities of government’s digital services.
PSAC, Civil Service Commission and the Private Sector Jobs & Skills Corp will sign a memorandum of agreement with these companies on the training of 40 participants in Singapore. The participants will lead a larger training cohort in the Philippines.
In response, President Marcos said the goal of creating one million digital jobs by 2028 will enable Filipinos take advantage of the opportunities with the evolving needs of the labor market.
Marcos has advocated for a presidential directive to empower the Inter-Agency Council for Development and Competitiveness of the Philippine Digital Workforce, which will spearhead public-private partnerships essential for targeted skills development and training programs.
In addressing the need for broader internet coverage, the President has prioritized expanding connectivity in geographically-isolated and disadvantaged areas.
PSAC said it will develop a detailed proposal for a nationwide, meaningful digital connectivity following a commercial agreement model to facilitate the construction and establishment of needed infrastructure.
The Department of Energy (DOE) and the Department of the Interior and Local Government are leading efforts that will streamline the permitting processes and reduce bureaucratic delays in deploying telecommunications infrastructure.
The DOE introduced a security and rationalization program for protecting submarine cables and transmission lines, which is crucial for ensuring uninterrupted digital connectivity, especially in regions prone to land reclamation activities.
