The Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI) is calling on the Department of Education (DepEd) to prioritize educational reforms that align with industry needs and address the persistent skills mismatch affecting the Filipino workforce.

In a statement released on August 20, PCCI emphasized the importance of newly-confirmed Education Secretary Sonny Angara addressing this critical issue. 

“The PCCI and the PCCI Education Task Force (ETF) members stand ready to discuss further and in more detail the ETF Paper and work out possible executive and legislative actions,” said PCCI-HRDF President Dr. Alberto Fenix, Jr.

To recall, the PCCI presented actionable recommendations through its Human Resource Development Foundation (HRDF) to revitalize the country’s education system.

Key recommendations include enhancing Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) programs, strengthening partnerships between schools and businesses for on-the-job training opportunities and amending the Enhanced Education Act to harmonize with higher education curricula.

PCCI also urged the government to invest in teacher training and integrate digital learning platforms to keep pace with global education trends. They emphasized the need for adequate funding and infrastructure, especially in underserved and rural areas, to ensure equitable access to quality education. 

These steps, they said, are crucial to building a talent pipeline that meets industry needs and drives long-term economic growth.

The chamber also stressed the need for a collaborative approach to curriculum development to ensure graduates have relevant, in-demand skills.