Inter-agency body sets priorities to align education, workforce development
- The Philippine government’s Education and Workforce Development Group convened its first meeting on 22 April 2026 in Makati City to set priorities and plans, ensuring that education and training programs are aligned with industry needs and support national growth. (Photo by Department of Economy, Planning, and Development)
Thousands of Filipinos are set to gain clearer pathways to quality employment as the government’s Education and Workforce Development Group (EWDG) moves to align national education and training programs with modern industry demands during its first meeting held 22 April 2026 in Makati City. The initiative also advances the administration’s poverty alleviation agenda by creating pathways to quality employment and fostering inclusive economic growth.
The EWDG serves as the country’s main coordinating body for education and workforce development concerns. It is led by President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr., as Chairperson, with the Secretaries of the Department of Education (DepEd) as Co-Chairperson and the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) as Vice-Chairperson. Other members include top officials from the Commission on Higher Education (CHED), Department of Migrant Workers (DMW), Department of Economy, Planning, and Development (DEPDev), and the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA).
Its role is to align policies, programs, and investments in education, training, and employment to help create clearer pathways from school to employment, improve job readiness, and expand access to quality jobs for Filipinos.
The group is also tasked with crafting a 10-year National Education and Workforce Development Plan to guide the implementation of major reforms and recommendations under the Second Congressional Commission on Education (EDCOM II) National Plan. This long-term strategy aims to strengthen workforce competitiveness and create better opportunities for future generations.
During the meeting, DOLE Undersecretary Carmela I. Torres and Assistant Secretary Joel M. Gonzales of the Employment and Human Resource Development Cluster presented updates on labor market information systems and the Public Employment Service Offices, the Department’s key partners in delivering employment facilitation services nationwide.
DEPDev shared priorities under the Trabaho Para sa Bayan Plan, focusing on workforce planning, stronger labor market information systems, and closer agency coordination. EDCOM II also presented findings from its final report, including recommendations to address gaps in the education sector and better match learning outcomes with industry needs.
A ceremonial turnover of Project TAHANAN from DepEd to CHED and TESDA was also held. The project is a unified data system for the Philippine Education Cluster that connects data from different agencies to support better policymaking.
The member agencies also deliberated proposals on the EWDG’s structure, processes, priorities, and key milestones.
Joining Undersecretary Torres and Assistant Secretary Gonzales was Bureau of Local Employment Director Patrick P. Patriwirawan, Jr. Also present at the meeting were DepEd Secretary Sonny Angara, DEPDev Secretary Arsenio M. Balisacan, DEPDev Undersecretary Rosemarie G. Edillon, CHED Chairperson Shirley C. Agrupis, TESDA Director-General Jose Francisco “Kiko” B. Benitez, DMW Assistant Secretary Francis Ron “Kiko” C. De Guzman, and EDCOM II Executive Director Dr. Karol Mark Yee.
