EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
REPULIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
Second Regular Session
)
SENATE 
S. NO. 1834
tCEfVEO
FILED
NDEX
Prepared by the Committees on Labor, Employment and Human Resources 
Development; Science and Technology; and Finance with Senators Angara and
Villanueva as authors thereof.
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 the House of Representatives of the Philippines in 
Congress assembled:
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ARTICLE I
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STATE POLICIES AND BASIC PRINCIPLES
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SECTION 1. Short Title. - This Act shall be known as the "Philippine Digital
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Workforce Competitiveness Act."
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SEC. 2. Declaration of State Policy. - The State, recognizing the transformation
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in the world of work due to rapid acceleration of digitalization and advances in
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technologies such as artificial intelligence and automation across range of industries
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and sectors, shall enhance the skills and competitiveness of the Philippine workforce
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in human, and digital technology and innovations. In furtherance thereof, the State
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shall ensure that all Filipino workers have access to and provided with digital skills and
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competencies that are at par with global standards and shall encourage digital
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innovations and entrepreneurship. To this end, the State shall provide the necessary
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infrastructure, and in collaboration with the private stakeholders, shall undertake the
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upskilling, re-skilling and training of the Filipino workforce on digital technology and
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innovations for employability and competitiveness in the Fourth Industrial Revolution.


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ARTICLE II
DEFINITION OF TERMS
SEC. 3. Definition of Terms. - The following terms as used in this Act shall
mean:
a) 21st century skills- refer to skills that are required by new jobs, including 
but not limited to critical thinking, problem solving, good communication, 
collaboration, information and technology literacy, flexibility and adaptability, 
innovativeness, and creativity, among others;
b) Certifications - refer to any attestation of an Individual's knowledge, 
proficiency, or competence in a certain subject matter or skillset by a reputable 
third party, which can be public, private or non-profit in nature;
c) Co-working or shared service facilities - refer to shared workspaces 
equipped with the necessary facilities and support services for the needs of the 
digital workforce;
6) Digital workforce - refers to any natural person who engages in 
remunerated activity through the use of digital skills and digital technology, 
regardless of work or employment arrangement, whether as a regular employee 
of a company or as a freelancer;
e) Digital labor platforms - refer to digital technology-based platforms that 
facilitate the production, trade, and commercial exchange of digital content, 
digital products, or other goods and services arising from digital transactions. 
This includes web-based and online platforms where work is outsourced through 
an open call to geographically-dispersed individuals and location-based online 
applications where work is allocated to individuals in a specific geographical area;
f) Digital content- refers to any type of content that exists in the form of 
digital data that are stored, and can be created, viewed, processed, distributed, 
modified and stored using computers and digital technologies. The content can 
be either free or paid content such as web-pages and websites, social media, 
data and databases, digital audio, such as mp3s or mp4s, and e-books, digital 
imagery, digital video, video games, computer programs and software;


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g) Digital entrepreneurship - refers to the creation of new ventures or the
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transformation of existing businesses by developing novel digital technologies
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and/or novel usage of such technologies;
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h) Digital inclusion - refers to the process of ensuring that all members of
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society, especially those from disadvantaged and marginalized groups have
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access and are empowered to utilize and benefit from state-of-the-art
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Information and Communications Technology (ICT);
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i) Digital skills - refer to a, range of skills, encompassing a combination of
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behaviors, expertise, know-how, work habits, character traits, dispositions, and
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critical understanding on the use of digital devices, communication applications,
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and networks to access and manage information;
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j) Digital technology- refers to any product or service that can be used to
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create, view, distribute, modify, store, retrieve, transmit, and receive information
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electronically in a digital form such as personal computers and devices like
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desktop, laptop, netbook, tablet computer, smart phones, games consoles,
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media players, e-book readers, as well as digital television, robots, personal
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assistant smart devices, and smart boards;
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k) Innovation - refers to the creation of new ideas using new or existing
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technologies that results in the development of new or improved products,
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processes, or services, which are then spread or transferred across the market.
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ARTICLE III
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DEVELOPMENT OBJECTIVES AND STRATEGIES
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SEC. 4. Development of the Digital Workforce. - In developing and ensuring
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the competitiveness of Philippine digital workforce, the State shall:
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a) Ensure and take pro-active measures to improve the digital competence of all
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citizens of working age and equip them with digital skills, including digital
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entrepreneurship and remote work using digitai skills in order to gain from the
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benefits of the growing number of jobs and opportunities that are enabied by
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digital technologies;
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b) Ensure that Filipinos are equipped with digital skills and 21st century skills;


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c) Ensure adequate protection and support for the digital workforce for the
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continuous improvement of their skiils to effectively keep up with global
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standards;
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Provide support to the digital workforce through the provision of co-working or
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shared service facilities and loan facilities with concessional terms;
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e) 
Ensure digital inclusion by taking into account spedai needs of sectors such as,
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but not limited to, persons with disabilities (PWDs), indigenous peoples, senior
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citizens, individuals located in geographically-isolated and disadvantaged areas,
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and other sectors in designing programs, activities and projects pursuant to this
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Act; and
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Ensure that all stakeholders from the government, industry and iabor sector are
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properly consulted and in collaboration in the crafting of policies, programs,
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activities and projects for the upskilling, re-skilling and training of the Filipino
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workforce in digital technology and innovations.
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ARTICLE IV
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INTER-AGENCY COUNCIL FOR DEVELOPMENT AND COMPETTUVENESS OF
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PHILIPPINE DIGITAL WORKFORCE
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SEC. 5. Inter-Agency Council for Development and Competitiveness of
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Philippine Digital Workforce. - There is hereby established an Inter-Agency Council
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for Development and Competitiveness of Philippine Digital Workforce, hereinafter
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referred to as the "Inter-Agency Council." It shall be chaired by the National Economic
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Development Authority (NEDA) and shall be composed of the following government
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agencies as members: the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), the
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Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), the Department of Information and
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Communications Technology (DICT), the Department of Science and Technology
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(DOST), the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG), the Department of
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Education (DepED), the Commission on Higher Education (CHED), and the Technical
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Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA).


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The Inter-Agency Council shall be the primary planning, coordinating and
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implementing body in the promotion, development, enhancement and
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competitiveness of the Philippine digital workforce. It shall ensure that all Filipino
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youth, students and workers have access to and are provided with skills and
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competencies in digital contents, platforms and technology that are at par with global
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standards, and shall encourage digital innovations and entrepreneurship. It shall
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consult and collaborate with all stakeholders from the government, industry and labor
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sector in the development and implementation of a national roadmap on upskilling,
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re-skilling and training of the Filipino workforce to address the skills gaps particularly,
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in digital technology and digital entrepreneurship.
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SEC. 6. Powers and Functions. - The Inter-Agency Council shall have the
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following powers and functions:
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a) 
Serve as the primary body responsible for the promotion, development,
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enhancement and competitiveness of Philippine digital workforce, and in
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providing entrepreneurs with incubation programs as well as support in terms of
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funding, skills development, and exposure to business networks;
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b) 
With the DOLE as the lead agency, and in collaboration with the DICT, the local
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government units (LCDs) and other stakeholders, conduct a digital technology
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and digital skills mapping nationwide identifying the available skills and
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competencies, skills gaps and training needs, demographics of the Philippine
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workforce in digital technology and sectors, and the availability and access to
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digital platforms and ICT infrastructure, among others;
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c) 
Formulate digital technology and digital skills roadmap for evolving jobs and
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skills, identifying job growth in specific professional areas, including but not
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limited to the fastest-growing seven (7) professional areas identified by the
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World Economic Forum, namely: care, engineering and cloud computing, sales
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marketing and content, data and Artificial Intelligence (AI), green jobs, people
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and culture, and specialized project managers;
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d) 
With the DICT and DOST as lead agencies, and in collaboration with various
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stakeholders, design and implement programs for upskilling, re-skilling and
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training, taking into consideration the results of digital technology and digital
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skills mapping and the roadmap for evolving jobs and skills;


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h)
Encourage and incentivize technological innovations for the growth of agri­
fishery industries and hospital care or public health services;
With the DTI as the lead agency, promote business or economic opportunities 
for digitization of start-ups and MSMEs, and provide technical assistance and low 
interest loans;
Provide support and innovative strategies to promote digital technology, digital 
careers and innovations among students, youth and workers, including the 
provisions of incentives such as:
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Full or partial scholarships or subsidies for appropriate trainings and 
certifications, whether local or abroad;
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Full or partial subsidy for the use of co-working or shared service facilities, 
equipment, and/or services provided by government or private enterprises 
or institutions;
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Credit assistance, at low interest rate, from government financial 
institutions for acquisition of equipment necessary to carry out digital work, 
including but not limited to computers, hardware and software programs;
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Afford priority access to DTI support and assistance, under its program for 
start-ups and for micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs), to digital 
entrepreneurs, tech start-ups or innovators; and
V. Such other incentives that may be issued for the promotion, development 
and enhancement of digital technology and digital skills across industries 
and business sectors.
Establish a centralized web portal for all related training, skills development, 
certification, and scholarship programs to allow access by all workers who are 
qualified and willing to undergo upskilling or to acquire new skills in digital 
technology;
Create committees, working groups and regional inter-agency councils to carry 
out its mandate and functions;
Establish an Inter-Agency Council Secretariat, which may be lodged with the 
NEDA or at any designated member agency; and


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k) Conduct consultations, assessment, planning and re-planning exercise with a
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view to ensuring the development and availability of highly-skiiled digital
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workforce in the country.
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ARTICLE V
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ROLE OF THE LOCAL GOVERNMENT UNITS (LGUs)
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SEC. 7. Role of LGUs. - Ali local government units shali create local policies
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supporting and promoting the growth and deveiopment of digital technology, digital
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careers and innovations in their respective communities, which may inciude providing
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incentives for technologicai innovations for agri-fishery Industries and hospital care or
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public health services.
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SEC. 8. Role of Public Employment Service Offices (PESOs). - All Public
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Employment Service Offices shall:
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a) Develop and maintain a webpage where PESO-accredited employers may
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register and publish their vacancies;
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b) Create a digital application help desk where job seekers can ask for feedback or
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assistance with a job application;
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Encourage and facilitate local access to jobs at crowdwork, crowdsource, or work
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in-demand applications;
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d) Create a localized digital technology and digital skills registry and encourage
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listing in the locality for assistance and availment of local incentives; and
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Conduct virtual job fairs.
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SEC. 9. E-ReadIness of LGUs. - The DICT, Department of Budget Management
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(DBM), Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) and other relevant
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government agencies shall ensure universal access to high-speed, quality, and
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affordable Internet by prioritizing and facilitating the development of ICT
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infrastructures in the localities across the country. The DILG and DICT shall jointly
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assess the e-readiness of all municipalities, cities, provinces, and regions to ensure a
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thriving digital workforce ecosystem.
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For this purpose, the National Government shall prioritize the construction of
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digital infrastructures to foster digital-based economic activity under their
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infrastructure programs or initiatives.


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ARTICLE VI
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PUBLIC-PRIVATE PARTNERSHIP IN TRAINING
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AND SKILLS DEVELOPMENT
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SEC. 10. Public-Private Partnership in Trainings and Skills Development. - The
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Inter-Agency Council is hereby authorized to enter into public-private partnerships
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with experts, information technology-business process outsourcing (IT-BPO) industry
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associations, private companies and other stakeholders in the formulation and
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implementation of training, skills development, and certification programs, covering
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areas, including but not limited to:
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a) Web development and designing;
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b) 
Online teaching and tutoring;
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c) 
Animation;
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d) 
Content creation (writing and copywriting and others);
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e) 
Digital marketing (e-commerce, sales and marketing);
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f) Creative design, graphic designing, 3D modelling and CAD, game development,
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logo design and illustration, and audio and video production;
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Mobile application development;
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h) 
Search engine optimization;
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Virtual assistance (administrative support or assistance);
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j) Branding and public relations, social media coordinator and community
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management;
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k) Web research, business intelligence and data analytics;
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Transcription and data entry jobs article and blog writing;
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m) Customer service and technical support;
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n) Human resource management and systems;
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o) Architecture services and other professional services through the Internet;
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p) Management of teams of remote workers, and other competencies needed by
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companies and individuals pursuant to the full implementation of Republic Act
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No. 11165, otherwise known as the Telecommuting Act; and
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q) Such other skills requirements as may evolve or be identified by the partners.


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ARTICLE VII
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DEVELOPMENTAL PROGRAMS
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SEC. 11. Digital Workforce Week. - The third week of June shall be designated
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as the Digital Workforce Week, to coincide with the National Information and
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Communications Technology (ICT) month promulgated under Proclamation No. 1521,
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series of 2008, to promote awareness on evolving jobs and skills requirements in
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digital technology and innovations, government assistance, trainings and
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certifications, and digital career and business opportunities.
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ARTICLE VIII
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SUPPORT ECOSYSTEM
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SEC. 12. Digital Libraries and Learning Hubs. - The DICT and the National
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Library of the Philippines shall promote the role of libraries in improving digital
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inclusion and transform these libraries as providers of digital access, trainings including
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those for certifications, and support for the development and enhancement of digital
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skills and competencies of the workers and future members of the workforce.
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SEC. 13. Co-Working or Shared Service Facilities. - The DTI, in coordination
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with relevant government agencies and in partnership with the private sector, shall
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establish co-working or shared service facilities to support the development and
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enhancement of digital skills and competencies of the workers and future members of
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the workforce.
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ARTICLE IX
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GENERAL PROVISIONS
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SEC. 14. Implementing Rules and Regulations. - Within six (6) months from
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the effectivity of this Act, the NEDA, DOLE, DTI, DICT, DOST, DILG, DepEd, CHED,
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TESDA, in consultation with relevant government agencies and private sector
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stakeholders, shall promulgate the necessary rules and regulations for the
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implementation of this Act.
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SEC. 15. Reportoriai Requirement - The Inter-Agency Council and all
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implementing agencies shall submit a report to Congress not later than June 30 of
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each year on the status of the implementation of this Act.


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SEC. 16. Appropriations. - The amount necessary for the implementation of the
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provisions of this Act shall be Included in the General Appropriations Act for the year
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following the approval of this Act.
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SEC. 17. Repeaiing Ciause. - All other laws, decrees, executive orders and
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rules and regulations contrary to or inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are
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hereby repealed or modified accordingly.
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SEC. 18. Separabiiity Ciause - If any provision of this Act is held invalid or
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unconstitutional, the same shall not affect the validity and effectivity of the other
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provisions hereof.
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SEC. 19. Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its
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publication in the Official Gazette or in two (2) newspapers of general circulation.
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Approved,
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