Malacañang will continue to undertake programs to further enhance the skills of Filipino workers as it welcomed the outstanding improvement in the Philippines’ ability to develop, attract and retain highly skilled professionals based on the recent IMD World Talent Ranking 2019.

The Philippines ranked 49th, up from last year’s 55th, among 63 economies in the latest IMD World Talent Ranking.

Presidential Communications Secretary Martin Andanar said that the Duterte administration will exert more efforts to further improve the skills of Filipino workers.

According to Andanar, in spite of the increasing competition in the labor market for skilled professionals, Filipinos have sustained the capacity, talent, resourcefulness and creativity to be competitive and meet the desired capabilities needed by employers.

“This testament to Filipino professionals’ capability has been complemented by the efforts of the Duterte administration in making education inclusive and accessible through its Republic Act 10931 or the Universal Access to Quality Tertiary Education Act,” Andanar said.

“The Commission on Higher Education (CHED), Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA), and Development Academy of the Philippines (DAP), among others, have undertaken complementary programs to promote technical skill development and retention,” he added.

Andanar said that government efforts to further improve the skills of Filipino workers are incorporated in high-impact legislations like the Tax Reform for Acceleration and Inclusion Act, “Build, Build, Build” program and Universal Health Care Act.

“With these programs in place, we see that the quality and level of Filipinos’ talents will become even more competitive against regional and global peers over the long run,” Andanar said.

“We will continue to address challenges that hinder personal, educational and professional growth as well as foster an environment where the retention of talent in the Philippines is fully realized through necessary programs, reforms, and policies,” he added.

Andanar said collaborations with the private sector will continue to be undertaken in order to sustain Filipinos’ competitiveness in the labor market, as well as making the Philippines wholly equipped and capable of producing highly-skilled individuals.

“This will continue to be a priority for the government and will be among President Duterte’s lasting legacies,” he added.