MARCH 14, 2025—The National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) emphasized the importance of policies that will foster human capital development, technology adaptation, innovation, and high-quality job creation as keys to sustained, long-term economic growth and a future-ready Philippines.
According to NEDA Secretary Arsenio M. Balisacan on Thursday (March 13), such efforts are vital for building a dynamic economy and ensuring shared prosperity. He was the lead discussant in the public policy session of the 2025 Annual Scientific Conference and the 92nd General Membership Assembly of the National Research Council of the Philippines (NRCP).
In his presentation, Balisacan first set the scene under a business-as-usual scenario. He emphasized that while artificial intelligence and automation create opportunities, they also necessitate proactive policies to assist workers in adapting to evolving job demands.
“Without policy changes, the Philippines may face increased distress, disasters, slow progress, and widening inequality… Artificial intelligence (AI) and robotics pose significant risks as we expect more automated tasks across industries and the displacement of low-skilled workers. Our country’s ability to learn, adapt, and scale up emerging technologies will depend on its ability to ride the waves of change to create a sustainable future,” he said.
Balisacan also advocated for education and skills development to secure the country’s long-term economic growth. He expressed support for private sector collaboration to align human capital with labor market needs and address lingering challenges such as low learning outcomes and persistent skills mismatches.
The NEDA chief also identified two distinct opportunities that provide the country with a strategic advantage as it continues its upward development trajectory.
First, with a growing working-age population, the Philippines stands to reap economic dividends—if investments in education, skills development, and innovation are implemented to enhance productivity and create better employment opportunities.
Second, Balisacan cited how the country’s extensive migrant networks can become strategic assets for further developing the workforce and the broader economy. The government aims to leverage this expertise to drive national development by fostering greater collaboration and reintegration of skilled overseas Filipinos.
He noted, however, that investments in human capital must be complemented by initiatives that create an investment-friendly climate conducive to high-quality job generation.
“We have opened the economy further to investment and trade, improved the ease of doing business, and enhanced the transparency and predictability of the regulatory environment. With proper implementation, these initiatives aim to induce more and higher-quality job creation, technology adoption, and research and innovation,” he said.
“Our desired future is perhaps best captured by the AmBisyon Natin 2040, our people’s collective vision and the three-decade foresight for the country, the Pagtanaw 2050… Science, technology, and innovation will be critical to realizing this vision,” he said.
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