TRADE DEPARTMENT LAYS OUT PLANS FOR

ONSET OF ADVANCED MANUFACTURING

GOVERNMENT agencies are proposing programs to address job losses caused by the
possible contraction of the manufacturing sector due to increased automation, officials
said at an economic forum.

Representatives from the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) and the National
Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) disclosed the plans at a Philippine
Economic Society forum Thursday.

“The entry of industrial technologies will add another layer of complexity to the already
challenging task of developing globally competitive industries,” DTI Undersecretary
Rafaelita M. Aldaba said in her presentation.

“Adoption of new technologies would increase productivity but may replace workers
whose tasks are to be automated.”

She said providing workers with new digital skills to prepare for the future of production
is a DTI priority.

The government plans to build an SME Academy and innovation center to provide
“industry 4.0” training for small and medium-sized enterprises. It also plans to build an
“Industry 4.0 Factory” to try out new-technology concepts on a pilot basis.

“We plan to establish an industry 4.0 pilot factory to serve as a demonstration and
learning facility especially for our small and medium enterprises,” she said.

She said that the Department of Science and Technology is also building facilities for
Industry 4.0 training and innovation.
“One is the advanced manufacturing center which will be equipped with advanced
laboratories and prototyping 3D technologies. They are also building an advanced
mechatronics and industrial laboratory.”

DTI is working with the Department of Labor and Employment and Technical Education
and Skills Development Authority to build training and workforce development programs
for future production.

Meanwhile, NEDA Undersecretary Rosemarie G. Edillon said a chapter in the current

Philippine Development Plan is dedicated to advancing science, technology, and
innovation.

“Although we keep on bragging about the competence of our Filipino workforce and
industries, para sa amin, kulang (we think we fall short),” she said.

She said the administration is also studying the information technology and business
process management (IT-BPM) sector.

“We want to find out first if there are certain governance issues that we can tweak —
because we keep saying that IT-BPM needs to move up the value chain. But what
needs to happen to do that?” she said.

“This was where we realized we need to move some steps backward and really work on
the educational system. And that’s why we have been very active in promoting the
internationalization of our higher education because the knowledge and competencies
that we need, we should be bringing in many more people to teach us about this,” she
added.

Last year NEDA, through the foreign investment negative list, helped ensure that
foreigners can teach in higher education, for programs that do not require a professional
regulation commission license.
The new rules allow foreign-owned high-tech skills training centers to offer short-term
courses “as long as they do not form part of the hierarchical educational structure,” such
as university undergraduate and graduate degrees. — Jenina P. Ibañez

https://www.bworldonline.com/trade-department-lays-out-plans-for-onset-of-advanced-
manufacturing/
 REFLECTION

Technology in the workplace has helped workers become more

efficient than ever before. What used to take hours now can take minutes. Messages
can be sent instantly to colleagues or clients across the world. Payments or proposals
can be transferred almost immediately. Although millions of jobs could be lost as
a result of new technologies, millions of jobs will also be created. On some level,
workforce changes and technological advancements are normal and to be expected of
any developing society. 

However, automating key tasks could eradicate the more tedious

aspects of our jobs and allow human employees to focus on more meaningful, fulfilling
tasks. It is important to note, however, that even when some tasks are automated,
employment in those occupations may not decline but rather workers may perform new
tasks. Automation will have a lesser effect on jobs that involve managing people,
applying expertise, and social interactions, where machines are unable to match human
performance for now.

All technological skills, both advanced and basic, will see a

substantial growth in demand. Advanced technologies require people who understand
how they work and can innovate, develop, and adapt them.