Can the Philippines produce the skilled workforce for Pax Silica? Senate President Win Gatchalian posed this question to the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) during the Senate Committee on Finance’s recent hearing on the agency’s proposed 2027 budget.
“This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for our country but if we cannot supply them with skilled labor— kasi ang dami ng kailangan nila, 190,000—we might lose that opportunity dahil titignan nila yung quality of workforce,” said Gatchalian.
According to the Bases Conversion and Development Authority (BCDA), the planned manufacturing and innovation hub in New Clark City will create 130,000 to 190,000 jobs at full capacity, 90% of which will be filled by Filipinos.
Gatchalian also asked how TESDA plans to upskill and reskill workers in Northern Luzon. Its director general assured the Senate finance panel that the agency is developing a training ecosystem starting from senior high school and extending to technicians, technologists, engineers, and other skilled workers.
TESDA also said the Regional Innovation Training Center for Region III will rise in Clark to provide advanced training, not only for Pax Silica but also for the planned Luzon Economic Corridor.
Kahandaan ng Pilipino workforce para sa Pax Silica, siniyasat ni Gatchalian
May skilled workforce ba ang Pilipinas na kinakailangan para sa Pax Silica? Ito ang tanong ni Senate President Win Gatchalian sa Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) sa kamakailang pagdinig ng Senate Committee on Finance tungkol sa panukalang 2027 budget ng ahensya.
“Isa itong natatanging oportunidad para sa ating bansa ngunit kung hindi natin kayang punan ang kinakailangang skilled labor— kasi ang dami ng kailangan nila, 190,000—baka mawala sa atin ang oportunidad dahil susuriin nila ang kalidad ng workforce,” ani Gatchalian.
Ayon sa Bases Conversion and Development Authority (BCDA), inaasahang lilikha ng 130,000 hanggang 190,000 trabaho ang planong manufacturing and innovation hub sa New Clark City kapag umabot na ito sa full capacity. Inaasahang 90% ng mga trabahong ito ang nakalaan para sa mga Pilipino.
Tinanong din ni Gatchalian ang TESDA kung paano nito planong i-upskill at i-reskill ang mga manggagawa sa Northern Luzon. Tiniyak naman ng director general ng ahensya sa Senate finance panel na bumubuo na ang TESDA ng training ecosystem na magsisimula sa senior high school hanggang sa pagsasanay ng mga technician, technologist, engineer, at iba pang skilled workers.
Ayon din sa TESDA, itatayo sa Clark ang Regional Innovation Training Center para sa Region III upang magbigay ng advanced training, hindi lamang para sa Pax Silica kundi pati na rin sa planong Luzon Economic Corridor.
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Photo by Mark Cayabyab / OSP WIN GATCHALIAN
