Section 6Sec./Art. 6

Powers and Functions. The Inter-Agency Council shall have the following powers and functions:

(a)Serve as the primary body responsible for the promotion, development, enhancement and competitiveness of Philippine digital workforce, and in providing entrepreneurs with incubation programs as well as support in terms of funding, skills development, and exposure to business networks;

(b)With the DOLE as the lead agency, and in collaboration with the DICT, the local government units (LGUs) and other stakeholders, conduct a digital technology and digital skills mapping nationwide, identifying the available skills and competencies, skills gaps and training needs, demographics of the Philippine workforce in digital technology and sectors, and the availability and access to digital platforms and ICT infrastructure, among others;

(c)Formulate digital technology and digital skills roadmap for evolving jobs and skills, identifying job growth in specific professional areas, including but not limited to the fastest-growing seven (7) professional areas identified by the World Economic Forum, namely: care, engineering and cloud computing, sales marketing and content, data and artificial intelligence (AI), green jobs, people and culture, and specialized project managers;

(d)With the DICT and DOST as lead agencies, and in collaboration with various stakeholders, design and implement programs for upskilling, re-skilling and training, taking into consideration the results of digital technology and digital skills mapping and the roadmap for evolving jobs and skills;

(e)Encourage and incentivize technological innovations for the growth of agri-fishery industries and hospital care or public health services;

(f)With the DTI as the lead agency, promote business or economic opportunities for digitization of start-ups and micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs), and provide technical assistance and low interest loans;

(g)Provide support and innovative strategies to promote digital technology, digital careers and innovations among students, youth and workers, including the provisions of incentives such as:

(1)Full or partial scholarships or subsidies for appropriate trainings and certifications, whether local or abroad;

(2)Full or partial subsidy for the use of co-working or shared service facilities, equipment, and/or services provided by government or private enterprises or institutions;

(3)Credit assistance, at low interest rate, from government financial institutions for acquisition of equipment necessary to carry out digital work, including but not limited to computers, hardware and software programs;

(4)Afford priority access to DTI support and assistance, under its program for start-ups and for MSMEs, to digital entrepreneurs, tech start-ups or innovators; and

(5)Such other incentives that may be issued for the promotion, development and enhancement of digital technology and digital skills across industries and business sectors.

(h)Establish a centralized web portal for all related training, skills development, certification, and scholarship programs to allow access by all workers who are qualified and willing to undergo upskilling or to acquire new skills in digital technology;

(i)Create committees, working groups and regional inter-agency councils to carry out its mandate and functions;

(j)Establish an Inter-Agency Council Secretariat, which may be lodged with the NEDA or at any designated member agency; and

(k)Conduct consultations, assessment, planning and re-planning exercise with a view to ensuring the development and availability of highly-skilled digital workforce in the country.

ARTICLE V

ROLE OF THE LOCAL GOVERNMENT UNITS (LGUs)