May 5, 2025 – The Department of Economy, Planning, and Development (DEPDev)* launched the Trabaho Para sa Bayan (TPB) Plan 2025-2034, the Philippines’ first 10-year Labor Market Development Plan, today (May 5). 

This landmark initiative outlines a long-term strategic masterplan for job creation, labor market transformation, and inclusive workforce development over the next decade, aligning with the Philippine Development Plan 2023-2028 and AmBisyon Natin 2040. 

The Plan’s launch comes at a timely juncture, following the recent signing of the Economy, Planning, and Development Act (Republic Act No. 12145), which transformed the National Economic and Development Authority into the DEPDev. This reform enhances the government’s capacity for strategic foresight and long-term policy coherence. 

“This transformation strengthens our mandate as we integrate various socioeconomic goals into a unified and forward-looking strategy that truly benefits all Filipinos. We assure our stakeholders that the DEPDev will play a proactive and enabling role in developing policies and programs to ensure sustainable and inclusive economic growth, foster quality job creation, and produce a competitive workforce,” Balisacan added. 

He also highlighted that changes in the Philippine labor market, driven by automation, digitalization, and emerging technologies, pose new challenges to economic landscape. Additionally, long-term pressures such as climate change and demographic shifts further impact our economy’s labor market dynamics. 

“These evolving trends underscore the urgent need for adaptive policies that foster economic growth and offer essential support to Filipino workers as they navigate these evolving challenges. With our collective effort, we will create an inclusive, efficient, and dynamic labor market environment where Filipinos can access meaningful, quality jobs, enabling them to have a matatag, maginhawa, at panatag na buhay,” the country’s chief economist said. 

The Trabaho Para sa Bayan Act (Republic Act No. 11962) was signed into law on September 27, 2023. It provides for the establishment of a national master plan on employment generation and recovery, known as the Trabaho Para sa Bayan Plan. 

*Note: The passage of Republic Act No. 12145 reorganizes the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) into the Department of Economy, Planning, and Development (DEPDev) effective April 27, 2025. 

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