PSAC is developing strategies to create 1 million digital jobs and improve connectivity

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The Private Sector Advisory Council (PSAC) presented a strategic proposal to President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to improve internet connectivity and create one million digital jobs to advance the Philippines’ digital infrastructure.

PSAC said in a statement that a major development during the meeting advances the 10,000 Digital Civil Servants project.

It said an impending memorandum of understanding (MOA) with partners including the Civil Service Commission, Private Sector Jobs & Skills Corp (PCORP) and leading companies such as Ayala, SM Group, National University and Mapua would boost the initiative.

The project will begin with foundational training of 40 participants in Singapore, who will lead a larger training cohort in the Philippines, significantly expanding the capabilities of government digital services.

President Marcos set a strategic focus on creating one million digital jobs by 2028, tailoring these opportunities to the changing needs of the labor market.

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He called 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.

The President prioritized expanding connectivity in Geographically Isolated and Underserved Areas (GIDA), supporting infrastructure development to bridge the digital divide.

Efforts by the Department of Energy (DOE) and the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) are aimed at streamlining permitting procedures and reducing bureaucratic delays in the construction of telecommunications infrastructure.

Energy Minister Raphael Lotilla introduced a security and rationalization program for the protection of submarine cables and transmission lines, which is crucial for ensuring uninterrupted digital connectivity, especially in regions prone to land reclamation activities.

PSAC said it would in the future develop a detailed proposal for nationwide, meaningful digital connectivity under a commercial agreement model to facilitate the construction and establishment of the necessary infrastructure.

The initiative aims to provide widespread and reliable digital access, laying the foundation for inclusive growth and sustainable digital engagement in the Philippines.

“With these government-approved initiatives, we are poised to transform the Philippine digital infrastructure, ensure competitiveness in the global digital economy, and promote digital inclusivity for all Filipinos,” said PSAC Digital Infrastructure Sector Leader Henry Aguda and president and CEO of UnionDigital.

Aguda thanked DILG Secretary Benjamin Abalos for his crucial role in the implementation of Executive Order 32, which streamlines the permitting process for telecommunications and internet infrastructure. He emphasized the critical involvement of the Anti-Red Tape Authority (ARTA) in this effort.

“Minister Aballos’ partnership with ARTA has significantly accelerated the rollout of our national digital infrastructure, putting us on the path to nationwide connectivity,” Aguda said.

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