THE National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) said Wednesday that it has released the implementing rules and regulations (IRR) for Republic Act (RA) 11927, also known as the "Philippine Digital Workforce Competitiveness Act."

　　The IRR was released following a series of consultations with relevant government agencies, private sector representatives and stakeholders.

　　The IRR was approved on October 23 by the nine members of the Inter-Agency Council (IAC) for the Development and Competitiveness of the Philippine Digital Workforce — a council established under Section 5 of RA 11927.

　　"The strategic and thorough execution of the Philippine Digital Workforce Competitiveness Act will be vital for equipping the workforce with digital technologies and skills, and fostering a dynamic innovation ecosystem in the country," said Socioeconomic Planning Secretary Arsenio Balisacan, also the head of NEDA, in a statement.

　　The IRR outlines the establishment of the IAC, which is chaired by the NEDA and composed of representatives from eight other agencies, namely the Departments of Labor and Employment (DoLE), Trade and Industry, Information and Communications Technology, Science and Technology, the Interior and Local Government, and Education, as well as the Commission on Higher Education and the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority.

　　The council will serve as the primary planning, coordinating and implementing body in promoting, developing and enhancing the competitiveness of the Philippine digital workforce.

　　DoLE, in addition, shall serve as the secretariat to the IAC.

　　The new law also tasked the IAC to formulate the National road map on Digital Technology and Digital Skills, which shall serve as a basis for implementing programs that will upskill, reskill and train the digital workforce in the country.

　　Additionally, the council will establish a centralized online portal to harmonize the existing portals of member-agencies that contain information on training and skills development programs, certification and scholarship programs.

　　These programs will address the gaps identified in digital technology and digital skills mapping, ensuring that all Filipinos have access to and are equipped with the skills and competencies needed to navigate digital content, platforms, innovations, entrepreneurship and technology to meet the ever-evolving demands of the global labor market. TMT