The DOLE intends to leverage the Philippine standard classification systems to improve the employment regulation programs in the country after the capacity building activities which were participated by BLE and DOLE Regional Office staff in August 2023.

Representatives from the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA), namely, Mr. Emerson M. Aquino, Ms. Charity Anne C. Almazan, Mr. Rassel Jhun S. Embile, Mr. Von Jeric F. Adona, and Ms. Rose Ann M. Hernandez served as resource persons during the training on Philippine Standard Industrial Classification (PSIC) and Philippine Standard Occupational Classification (PSOC). 

The PSIC and PSOC are statistical classification standards envisioned to be fully integrated in coding systems of the alien and local employment regulation programs, as well as the unemployment insurance benefits program. With knowledge on PSIC and PSOC, DOLE ROs are expected to improve the accuracy of data generation and provision of employment facilitation services to intended beneficiaries.

Undersecretary Carmela I. Torres, in her keynote speech, emphasized on “[working] towards becoming a more efficient, purposeful and accountable institution; implementing responsive regulation in recruitment, placement and related activities such as alien employment.”

Under the stewardship of BLE Director Patrick P. Patriwirawan, Jr., the capacity building and training programs consisted of lectures on PSOC and PSIC, workshops, and action planning activities. 

In his closing message, Assistant Secretary Paul Vincent W. Añover underscored the importance of using PSIC and PSOC, emphasizing that “The mastery of the PSIC will let us see emerging industries that can be niche markets for Filipinos. On the other hand, proficiency in PSOC can help us identify the needed intervention for our workers to qualify for positions currently occupied by foreign nationals.”

The training also comes in light of the enactment of the amendments to the Foreign Investments Act and the Public Service Act, prompting an influx of foreign nationals concerning industries/sectors with eased restrictions.

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Binondo, Manila batch comprised of staff from the BLE and DOLE Regional Offices NCR, CAR, I, II, III, CALABARZON, VII, and IX.

Dauis, Bohol batch comprised of staff from the BLE and DOLE Regional Offices MIMAROPA, V, VI, VII, VIII, and CARAGA.

Zamboanga City batch comprised of staff from the BLE and DOLE Regional Offices IX, X, XI, and XII.