HRep-Ateneo Project 5th Roundtable Discussion: Jobs/Connectivity and Blue & Green Economy

The fifth roundtable discussion of the HRep-Ateneo Evidence-Based Research Project was held on 7 February 2024 at the House of Representatives. It covered pressing issues concerning labor, physical infrastructure, and the country's blue and green economy, with experts from the government, academe, and the private sector in attendance.   

The HRep-Ateneo Evidence-Based Research Project conducts research studies that aim to support the current administration’s 8-point agenda and the Philippine Development Plan 2023-2028 towards achieving the Filipino aspirations of maginhawa, matatag, at panatag na buhay, or the Ambisyon Natin 2040. The HRep-Ateneo Roundtable Discussion is a limited series where studies from the HRep-Ateneo project are presented. It is envisioned to be a platform for discourse on critical national issues.

PH Labor Trends & Outlook featuring Improved Inter-Island Transportation Connectivity, Local Employment and Job Quality

Dr. Romulo Miral, Jr., Deputy Secretary General of the Congressional Policy and Budget Research Department (CPBRD) opened the morning session, highlighting how the featured studies align with the Marcos’ administration’s 8-point agenda to create more quality, and green jobs. Dr. Philip Arnold Tuaño and Prof. Joselito Sescon of Ateneo de Manila University presented their study conducted under the HRep-Ateneo Project, where they also serve as Congressional Research Fellows.  With the theme, “Outlook and Policy Options for Philippine Employment Towards 2040,” their study provided an overview of the emerging trends in the Philippine labor and employment markets. It projected total employment under high and low growth scenarios. They proposed strengthening the implementation of RA 11962 or the Trabaho Para Sa Bayan Act; boosting digitalization, ensuring a competitive telecommunications sector; making available an inventory of jobs and having a grasp of the kinds of technology that will disrupt such jobs; and having an outlook of the industries that will arise–all these to allow for the creation of a dynamic ecosystem that eventually generates not only more, but quality jobs. 

The second presentation for the morning session was delivered by Dr. Kris Francisco of the Philippines Institute of Development Studies (PIDS) and Congressional Research Fellow.  She discussed her team’s research study on “Improved Inter-Island Transport Connectivity, Local Employment and Job Quality.” Also present at the roundtable are Dr. Aniceto Orbeta, President of PIDS and HRep-Ateneo Senior Adviser.

Dr. Francisco discussed the effects of physical infrastructure on employment, focusing on inter-island connectivity and the importance of the Roll-on/Roll-off (RORO) policy.  The findings of their study revealed that women with high and medium levels of skills greatly benefitted from the RORO network as it enabled them to find employment, particularly in the financial services and insurance sectors. Growth in different types of industries was also observed when incorporating ancillary ports. Dr. Francisco noted, however, that it is likewise important to analyze the impact of such a network on the local community as it may bring about capital and labor migration.  

The open discussion, moderated by Hon. Francisco Benitez, Negros Occidental 3rd District Representative, brought out a productive dialogue from the House members and the panel reactors alike. The insights that emerged include the urgent need for a human resource development plan, the importance of intermodal connectivity, understanding travel demand, and the impacts of work-from-home setup and hailing apps. 

The distinguished session panelists included Ms. Grace Baldoza of the Department of Labor and Employment, Mr. Sergio Ortiz-Luis Jr. of the Employers Confederation of the Philippines, Ms. Zangelina Llose of the Corporate Planning Department of the Philippine Ports Authority, and Dr. Enrico Basilio of the UP-NCPAG. 

The session was attended by Hon. Stella Quimbo; Hon. Christopher De Venecia; Hon. Jernie Nisay; Mr. Felicisimo Pangilinan, OIC Director for Planning of the Department of Transportation; and Ms. Ma. Flodeliza Leong, Asst. Vice President of PHILEXPORT and TESDA Board Member. 

Scorecards for Livable and Sustainable Communities 

The afternoon session centered on “Scorecards for Livable and Sustainable Communities.” Dr. Romulo Miral, Jr., also opened the session by highlighting the importance of the afternoon discourse on the ecological impacts on the Philippine economy. Congressional Research Fellows of the HRep-Ateneo Project, Dr. Charina Lyn Amedo-Repollo of the University of the Philippines Diliman and Dr. Jefferson Arapoc and Dr. Asa Jose Sajise of University of the Philippines Los Baños, provided insights on critical environmental issues of the country and cited barriers to addressing these issues including lack of data collection and issues on governance.  They then presented the blue and green economy scorecards they have developed that can serve as a metric for developing livable and sustainable communities among local government units (LGUs).  

The presentation garnered much interest among the House Members, including Hon. Stella Quimbo, who moderated open forum, Hon. Christopher De Venecia, Hon. Anna Victoria Veloso-Tuazon, Hon. Francisco Benitez, and Hon. Adrian Michael Amatong.  Also contributing to the discussion were the distinguished panelists including Mr. John Frederick Avelino of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources; Dr. Divina Gracia Del Prado of the Philippine Statistics Authority; Dr. Laura David of the University of the Philippines Marine Science Institute, and Dr. Gem Castillo of the Environment and Economic Center for Studies.

The discussion revolved around data validation; centralized data repository; costs, capacity, and willingness of LGUs to participate in such exercise; and the need for an outcome indicator (e.g., land values).  The mixed mandate of the DENR also emerged, as well as the need to bring down the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) to the LGU level. 

See more photos from the event here.

Watch the 5th Roundtable Discussion above or on Youtube.

To know more about the project, please visit:

• Ateneo inks partnership on conduct of evidence-based research with House of Representatives

• HRep-Ateneo Project’s Inception Workshop: In March to Meet the Objectives

• House of Representatives and Ateneo research collaboration reaches milestone

• Ateneo holds first round table discussion for Evidence-Based Research Project at the House of Representatives

• HRep-Ateneo Project 2nd Roundtable Discussion: Food Prices and Fiscal Management

• HRep-Ateneo Project 3rd Roundtable Discussion: Primary Health Care and Financial Inclusion

• HRep-Ateneo Project 4th Roundtable Discussion: Education and Research & Development