What's Happening?
President Ferdinand 'Bongbong' Marcos Jr. has initiated the formation of the Education and Workforce Development Group (EWDG) through Administrative Order No. 36, signed on August 13, 2025. This group aims to create a cohesive mechanism among various agencies involved in education and workforce development in the Philippines. The EWDG is tasked with developing a 10-year National Education and Workforce Development Plan (NEWDP) to align the country's education and workforce systems with global economic demands. The group will be chaired by President Marcos and include key officials from the Department of Education, Department of Labor and Employment, Commission on Higher Education, Department of Migrant Workers, Department of Economy, Planning, and Development, and the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority. The Department of Education will serve as the Secretariat, providing technical and administrative support.
Why It's Important?
The establishment of the EWDG is crucial for addressing persistent issues within the Philippine education sector, such as coordination challenges among inter-agency bodies. By creating a centralized body, the government aims to streamline efforts and enhance the effectiveness of education and workforce development strategies. This initiative is expected to improve the alignment of educational outcomes with the needs of the global economy, potentially boosting the country's competitiveness and economic growth. Stakeholders in education and labor sectors stand to benefit from more coherent policies and better resource allocation, which could lead to improved educational standards and workforce readiness.
What's Next?
The EWDG will begin evaluating existing inter-agency bodies related to education and workforce development to propose mechanisms for streamlining and rationalizing their functions. Funding for the group's activities will be sourced from current appropriations of member agencies and other identified funding sources, subject to budgeting and auditing regulations. The success of the EWDG will depend on its ability to effectively coordinate among diverse agencies and implement the NEWDP, which will require ongoing collaboration and commitment from all involved parties.
