Filipino workers, AI upskilling top agenda at PSAC meeting

President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. convened the Private Sector Advisory Council (PSAC) on Wednesday at Malacañan Palace to explore strategies for protecting workers’ rights and generating quality jobs, as global uncertainties, including Middle East tensions impacting fuel prices, supply chains, and employment, continue to mount..

Following the meeting, Marcos said, “The good result here is that we are very much in agreement with the private sector advisors on what should be done to mitigate the effects of what is happening in the Middle East.”

The PSAC presented proposals to help Filipino workers and enterprises weather the impact of global volatility. Key recommendations included rapid job matching, workforce redeployment, and accelerated project execution to absorb displaced workers. 

The council also advocated for expanded nationwide job fairs, faster hiring across both government and private sectors, and the immediate resumption of infrastructure and school construction projects.

To support overseas Filipino workers potentially affected by disruptions, the PSAC called for streamlined redeployment processes, micro-credential training in key industries, and enhanced support for entrepreneurship and micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs).

PSAC Lead Convener Sabin Aboitiz, president and CEO of the Aboitiz Group, stressed the importance of immediate job preservation alongside long-term workforce transformation.

“By investing in skills, accelerating job matching, and supporting enterprises, we can help ensure that Filipinos remain productive and competitive despite global headwinds,” Aboitiz said.

The council also recommended the digital distribution of targeted subsidies, possible extension of tax incentives for export-oriented firms, and continued financial support for public utility vehicle operations to maintain uninterrupted transport services. Accelerating digital infrastructure rollout to enable remote work and reduce reliance on physical mobility was also highlighted.

A major PSAC proposal is the rollout of AI Upskilling para sa Digital Asenso (AIUDA), a rapid re-skilling program designed to transition workers into digital and remote roles within weeks. The initiative provides tiered pathways, from basic AI-assisted tasks to higher-value digital work, targeting employment in areas such as data annotation, virtual assistance, analytics, and online entrepreneurship.

“This builds on private sector-led efforts, such as Elevate AIDA, a flagship program of the Aboitiz Foundation, which trains Filipino women for AI-related digital jobs and connects them to work opportunities in the digital economy,” the PSAC said. 

The council also called for flexible learning modalities, faster release of government subsidies, and regulatory adjustments to support schools and training providers.