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MANILA, Philippines — The local creative industry would be the top priority in crafting the government’s “master plan” meant to generate more employment in the country and improve the quality of jobs, the state’s socioeconomic planning chief said Tuesday.
“Our pursuit of policies will be adaptive to the responsibilities of female workers and the evolving work landscape, with a focus on supporting vulnerable sectors, including those in the creative industry,” Secretary Arsenio Balisacan of the National Economic and Development Authority (Neda) said in a speech.
Balisacan spoke during the signing of the implementing rules and regulations of Republic Act 11962 or the “Trabaho Para sa Bayan” (Jobs for the People or TPB) law.
READ: Bongbong Marcos signs Trabaho Para sa Bayan Act
The TPB Act mandates the creation of a master plan for national employment generation focused on increasing both the number and quality of employment opportunities in the country, as well as enhancing the employability of Filipinos through upskilling and reskilling initiatives.
The creative economy includes industries like audio and audiovisual media activities, digital interactive goods and service activities, advertising, research and development, and other artistic service activities.
Creative economy
Latest government data show that the creative economy in the Philippines accounted for P1.6 trillion or 7.3 percent of gross domestic product in 2022. This represented an increase of 12.1 percent from P1.43 trillion in 2021.
Under the law, the an inter-agency council (TPB-IAC) led by the Neda chief will craft a master plan for employment generation and recovery in the Philippines.
The TPB-IAC will be co-chaired by the secretaries of the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) and the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), with representatives from other agencies and various sectors.
The TPB Plan is expected to be completed by the fourth quarter of 2024.
“With the proper implementation of this landmark act, we will facilitate stronger coordination and partnerships among relevant agencies and stakeholders to help implement programs to raise productivity,” Balisacan said.
”We will also strengthen the linkages between industry, the academe, and the government to address skills mismatches and enhance the competitiveness of Filipino workers,” he added.