By Perfecto T. Raymundo, Jr.
MANILA — The International Labor Organization (ILO) and Korea on Thursday (June 26) officially launched a new project called “Advancing Digital and Green Skills for Youth in ASEAN“ at The Bayleaf here.During the launching, Khalid Hassan, Country Director of ILO Country Office for the Philippines, expressed his gratitude for the support extended by the Korean government in the ILO/Korea Partnership Programmed for the official launch event and validation workshop for the advancing digital and green skills for youth in ASEAN project.
Hassan said that the official launch of the project is aimed at strengthening the construction industry in the Philippines.
“It is also part of the global exploration. The project also supports the skills mobility of migrant workers,” Hassan said.
Hassan also thanked the stakeholders for their insights and help in the realization of the new project.
He cited the DOLE, TESDA, among others, for the partnership program.
Hochul Shin, Chief Technical Advisor of ILO/Korea Partnership Programme, extended his heartfelt gratitude to DOLE, TESDA, ASEAN, TUCP, Embassy of the Republic of Korea in the Philippines, and all other major guests.
Shin thanked everybody for participating in the launch and validation workshop for the advancing digital and green skills for youth in ASEAN project.
“Now more than ever, it’s easier to find jobs,” Shin said.
He cited the Philippines in achieving the SDGs (Sustainable Development Goals) as set by the United Nations (UN).
“Without active participation and commitment of the Philippines, this would not be possible,” Shin said.
“This project can mark the start of a bigger project,” he added.
Kyounghee Chong, Project Manager of ILO/Korea Partnership Program, said that she has never been in the Philippines and it’s the first time for her to be in the country.
Chong presented the ILO/Korea Partnership Programme where the funding began in 2015, the expansion of ILO/Korea Programme 2024-2026, including Cambodia, Mongolia and the Philippines.
The main projects of ILO/Korea Partnership Programme 2024-2026 were provided by Korea with US$2.35 Billion.
The duration of the Advancing Digital and Green Skills for Youth in ASEAN project will be from July 2024 to December 2026.
“Our project is more focused on youth employment. We expect more from employers,” Chong said.
“We will facilitate partnership with you,” she added.
Akiko Sakamoto, Senior Specialist in Skills and Employability of ILO DWT-BKK, said that the project is to enhance regional and national capacities for a sustainable and inclusive growth through improved green and digital skills for youth, with a focus on the ASEAN construction n sector.
Sakamoto added that the project’s overall objective is improved employability of youth, digital transformation and skills development, among others.
She cited the key deliverables and activities such as the development of regionality reconized digital and green skills training programmes for construction, aligned with national and regional ASEAN needs.
Sakamoto also cited the master trainers training programme for construction in ASEAN.
Korea Polytechnic will also help for the upgrading of the skills and training program.
The roll-out of the regionality recognized digital and green skills training for young people in the Philippines and Thailand.
“We are planning a regional training program,” Sakamoto said.
The Philippines is the Chair of the ASEAN Construction Federation (ACF) from 2024-2026.
The project contributes to the broader ASEAN agenda of promoting skills mobility and harmonization for skills standards and certifications.
Research into critical digital and green skills needs for the construction sector in the Philippines completed and findings will be validated among key sectors.
“I’m looking forward to working with you through the implementation of the project,” Sakamoto said.
Augusto Manalo, Chairman of ACF, said that they will be having a forthcoming conference in Indonesia this August.
“This forward-looking initiative is a timely project in addressing climate change and low carbon emission. This project will expand labor mobility in enhancing global competitiveness,” Manalo said.
Manalo expressed optimism in the successful implementation of the project.
Rosanna Urdaneta, Deputy Director General for Policies and Planning of Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA), said that on behalf of Director General Jose Francisco “Kiko” B. Benitiez, assured the support and cooperation of TESDA in the project.
“With the support of the ILO, it has developed the TVET program,” Urdaneta said.
“We likewise implement the skills development training to enhance the curriculum,” she added.
In 2020, TESDA collaborated with the DOLE, and conducted the survey for the construction industry in partnership with the PCA.
“Yesterday, we have a sectoral meeting with the President (Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr.) to undertake the roadmap in the AI (Artificial Intelligence),” Urdaneta said.
“We look forward to collaborating with our partnership. Let this project be a springboard for a continuing collaboration and cooperation,” she added.
Gerardo V. Pancho, President of Philippine Constructors Association (PCA), expressed his gratitude for being part of the launch of the project.
Pancho said that the project Green and digital competency
He said that there are now 15,000 registered construction engineers, with 4.5 million workforce and still growing.
Pancho said that the action plans of the roadmad are professional skills and productivity, and modernization.
He cited robotic installation, among others, to upgrade the skills needed to be really productive and globally competitive.
“We need to revive the spirit of ‘bayanihan’ to inspire growth and development,” Pancho said.
House Deputy Speaker Raymond Democrito C. Mendoza, TUCP National President, represented by Onate, extended his warmest greetings to the ILO/Korea and expressed the intention of the TUCP to collaborate with the ILO.
Onate said that Filipinos aged 15-24 and even those with degrees and diplomas struggle to find jobs.
“The future of work must be decent work,” he said.
He cited a 2021-2022 survey which showed that the PCA accounts for nearly 5 percent of employment in the country, with 44 percent engaged in construction and 15 percent engaged in railways.
“The partnership with ILO is long overdue to ensure that no worker is left behind,” Onate said.
Carmela Torres, Undersecretary for Employment and Human Resource Development Cluster of Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), said that on behalf of the DOLE, she sincerely thanked the Republic of Korea for selecting the Philippines in hosting the project launch.
Torres highlighted the recommendation of the ILO 2008 which highlighted the importance of apprenticeship program.
“This morning we are launching the official launch for the advancing digital and green skills for youth in ASEAN project and in the afternoon validation workshop,” Torres said.
Torres cited the unemployment rate of 4.1 percent in April 2025 from 4.3 percent “we saw just a few months ago. This translates to a reduction in unemployment.”
“The latest employment is at 6.4 million, with 5.6 million youth employees. The construction sector is a vital sector of our economy and is continuously a big source of jobs created,” Torres said.
In the Philippine Green Transition, a 2023 survey revealed that only 13% of Filipino employees prioritize green skills and digitalization.
In the Labor and Employment Plan 2023-2028, highlighted were the Trabaho Para sa Bayan Act, the Digital Workforce Competitiveness Act, and the Philippine Green Jobs Act in 2018.
Torres cited the 7th APEC Human Resources Development Ministerial Meeting and 113th International Labor Conference in May 2025, where we shared “our success”. ###
