As artificial intelligence (AI) and digital automation rapidly reshape industries, Deputy Speaker Camille Villar has filed a bill seeking to safeguard Filipino workers from potential job displacement and equip them with skills for the digital economy.
House Bill No. 11308, also known as the Workers’ Protection and Skills Development in the Digital Economy Act, proposes the creation of a National Task Force on Digital Economy Job Disruption.
The Growing Threat of AI Job Displacement
This inter-agency body will be responsible for monitoring industries vulnerable to AI-driven transformations and ensuring timely interventions to mitigate job losses.
Villar emphasized the urgent need to address the shifting employment landscape, citing that AI and machine learning have already begun reshaping various sectors at an unprecedented pace.
“As these changes accelerate, the future of work is shifting fundamentally, and the ability to transition into new jobs is more critical than ever,” Villar said. “This bill seeks to support workers at risk due to artificial intelligence or technological advancements, promote upskilling and reskilling, and facilitate their career transition to the digital economy.”
One of the key provisions in the bill is the establishment of an early warning system, which will track industries likely to be affected by AI and digital automation. The task force will utilize this data to develop strategic policies and provide necessary government intervention to mitigate workforce disruptions.
Government-Led Initiatives to Support Affected Workers
The proposed legislation also introduces the Workers’ Adjustment Program (WAP), which will provide financial assistance such as wage compensation, unemployment benefits, and temporary income support to displaced workers.
“The government has a duty to protect the rights of workers and promote their welfare. Together, let us help our countrymen who are affected by new developments in technology and the use of AI in business,” Villar said in Filipino.
Aside from financial aid, the bill also mandates the task force to design and implement a comprehensive upskilling and reskilling program. This initiative will focus on developing digital and technical skills that align with the demands of the evolving labor market.
Additionally, a career transition support system will be established to assist displaced workers in finding new job opportunities that match their retooled skill sets.
The inter-agency body will be composed of representatives from the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT), Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), and the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA).
The urgency of the bill is underscored by reports from the Federation of Free Workers (FFW), which estimates that around five million Filipino workers are at risk of losing their jobs this year due to AI and climate change.
The International Monetary Fund (IMF) also projects that 14 percent of the country’s workforce is in danger of being replaced by AI.
The IMF study further highlights that 36 percent of jobs in the Philippines are highly exposed to AI, with varying degrees of risk depending on the industry.
While more than half of these jobs may be complementary to AI, where technology supports rather than replaces workers, a significant portion remains vulnerable to automation.
