MANILA – The Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI), through its Human Resource Development Foundation (HRDF), Inc., has submitted policy recommendations to Department of Education (DepEd) Secretary Sonny Angara, urging a revitalization of the country’s education system.
In a statement released on Tuesday, PCCI emphasized the importance of aligning educational outcomes with industry needs to tackle the ongoing skills mismatch that weakens the competitiveness of the Filipino workforce.
Among the recommendations, the business group highlighted the need to enhance Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) programs and to forge stronger partnerships between schools and businesses to expand on-the-job training opportunities.
The PCCI is also advocating for amendments to the Enhanced Education Act to better align with higher education curricula, the promotion of a multi-sectoral approach to early childhood education, and the development of micro-credentialing to certify skills acquired through various forms of learning.
These recommendations were presented to Angara during an August 12 meeting led by PCCIHRDF President Alberto Fenix Jr. Attendees included members of the Education Task Force (ETF), Philippine Normal University (PNU) president Bert Tuga, former Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) director general Irene Isaac, and PCCIHRDF executive director Marlon Miña.
“The Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry, along with the members of the PCCI Education Task Force, are prepared to engage in further discussions to explore potential executive and legislative actions,” Fenix stated.
PCCI also stressed the importance of investing in teacher training and integrating digital learning platforms to keep pace with global educational trends. The group urged the government to ensure adequate funding and infrastructure for these initiatives, particularly in underserved and rural areas, to ensure equitable access to quality education.
PCCI believes these measures will help create a talent pipeline that aligns with the evolving needs of industries and will support long-term economic growth in the Philippines.