President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. signed into law on Thursday the Enterprise-Based Education and Training (EBET) Framework Act to address the critical issue of underemployment in the country.
A priority legislation of the administration, Republic Act 12063, or the EBET Framework Act, aims to institutionalize and strengthen apprenticeship programs in the country to address the jobs-skills mismatch and develop a more skilled and globally competitive Filipino workforce.
Marcos said the new law would improve the country’s employment figures by focusing on upskilling and development.
On Wednesday, the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) released the latest Labor Force Survey, reporting positive employment and unemployment trends under the Marcos administration.
“I’m happy to note that our employment and unemployment rates improved in the past three months. With this law, I’m confident that we will be able to sustain and further improve these numbers,” he said during the ceremonial signing of the new law in Malacañang.
“By establishing a framework on career advancement and industry-relevant skills, this law directly addresses the issues on the lack of formal training and skill mismatches, ensuring that every Filipino can contribute and benefit from our nation’s growth.”
The President said the EBET would provide Filipino workers with accessible and relevant skills training that will allow them to earn practical skills for immediate employment, targeting foundational and mid-level skills.
“By opening pathways to professional growth, employment opportunities, and entrepreneurship, we are answering the call for quality employment and fostering a globally competitive workforce,” he said.
The law will strengthen partnerships with the private sector “to align our training programs with real-world industry needs,” according to the President.
He explained that the EBET Framework Act would harmonize various approaches, including apprenticeship, leadership, and dual training system, under one cohesive structure designed with inclusivity.
Lawmakers welcomed the law’s signing, saying it will significantly address job-skills mismatch in the country.
As the principal author and sponsor of EBET Act in the Senate, Senator Joel Villanueva is certain that Filipinos will be empowered to thrive in a rapidly changing economy.
“This law will bring real benefits, making skill development more accessible and targeted, and allowing our people to seize better employment opportunities, and making our workforce among the most competitive in the region,” Villanueva said in a statement.
In a separate statement, Senator Sherwin Gatchalian believes that EBET Act will boost the job readiness of technical-vocational education and training graduates.
“Through this law, we will see an increase in the number of enterprise-based trainees, which will also help us address issues of jobs-skills mismatch,” Gatchalian said.
Baguio City Rep. Mark Go, who chairs the House Committee on Higher and Technical Education, said the EBET Act will equip the Filipino workforce the skills they need to find the job that fits them.
“At the end of the day, what we want is an employable workforce. Through the passage of the EBET Act, we can address job-skills mismatches. We are giving our workers the tools they need to thrive in today’s competitive job market,” Go said.
Meanwhile, Second Congressional Commission on Education (EDCOM II) Executive Director Karol Mark Yee said EBET Act aims to align EBET policies with industry needs.
“EBET has been one of the EDCOM2’s key priorities, given the critical role it plays in preparing our workforce for the labor market. With this bill, we’re ensuring that EBET policies are not only aligned with industry needs but are also flexible enough to adapt to the challenges faced by both stakeholders and learners,” Yee said.
Photo credit: Presidential Communications Office website