Awareness and Implementation of Philippine Digital Workforce Competitiveness Act by Philippine LGUs
Diana Mae C. Sanier | Ruvy M Tuble
Discipline: social sciences (non-specific)
Abstract:
This study assessed the awareness, extent of implementation, challenges encountered, and
perceived benefits associated with the Philippine Digital Workforce Competitiveness Act of 2022 (RA
11927) in a Local Government Unit (LGU) in Negros Occidental. Utilizing a descriptive-correlational
research design, data were gathered from 109 implementers using a validated and reliable questionnaire.
Findings revealed high levels of awareness and implementation, particularly among municipal-level
implementers and those with 11 to 15 years of service. Among the Act’s components, Digital Careers was
the most extensively implemented. Significant challenges included limited funding, inadequate leadership
support, insufficient training opportunities, and weak digital infrastructure. Despite these barriers,
implementers perceived notable benefits, including enhanced public service delivery and improved digital
literacy among constituents. A strong positive correlation was established between awareness and
implementation, although no significant differences emerged across demographic variables. The study
contributes to both theory and practice by highlighting critical enablers and bottlenecks in digital policy
execution at the local level. These insights can guide policymakers in designing more inclusive, wellresourced, and sustainable digital workforce initiatives nationwide.
References:
- Angara, S. M. (2021, January 22). Digital transition could start at the LGU level. Philippine Institute for Development Studies. https://tinyurl.com/59n523bn
- Asadon, M. F. A., Brucal, A. P., Claveria, P. S. L., Lacson, J. T. N., & Brucal, A. P. (2024). Enhancing public service delivery and citizen participation: The synergistic effects of e-governance and social media. International Journal of Multidisciplinary Applied Business and Education Research, 5(11), 4740–4758. https://doi.org/10.11594/ijmaber.05.11.35
- Asian Development Bank. (2022). Digital jobs and digital skills: A shifting landscape in Asia and the Pacific. https://doi.org/10.22617/SPR220348
- Balane, M. A., Palafox, B., Palileo-Villanueva, L. M., McKee, M., & Balabanova, D. (2020). Enhancing the use of stakeholder analysis for policy implementation research: Towards a novel framing and operationalised measures. BMJ Global Health, 5(2), e002661. https://doi.org/10.1136/bmjgh-2020-002661
- Batapa Sigue, Jocelle. (2022, August 3). RA 11927: Digital Workforce Competitiveness Law. https://tinyurl.com/5dc3jzt3
- Balog, M. M., & Demidova, S. E. (2021). Human Capital Development in the Context of Digital Transformation. IOP Conference Series: Earth and Environmental Science, 666(6), 062120. https://doi.org/10.1088/1755-1315/666/6/062120
- Borodin, E., Piscokha, N., & Demoshenko, G. (2021). Problems and advantages of digitalization of local self-government. Public Administration Aspects, 9(4), 95–103. https://aspects.org.ua/index.php/journal/article/download/892/861
- BusinessWorld. (2022, May 30). Philippines lags in national technological strength list. https://tinyurl.com/3jevcnje
- Carey, G., Nevile, A., Kay, A., & Malbon, E. (2020). Managing staged policy implementation: Balancing short-term needs and long-term goals. Social Policy & Administration, 54(1), 148–162. https://doi.org/10.1111/spol.12530
- David, A., Yigitcanlar, T., Li, R. Y. M., Corchado, J. M., Cheong, P. H., Mossberger, K., & Mehmood, R. (2023). Understanding local government digital technology adoption strategies: A prisma review. Sustainability, 15(12), 9645. https://doi.org/10.3390/su15129645
- Espiritu, P. G., Manzon, R. D., & Florencondia, N. (2023). Digital transformation adoption in the local government unit (LGU) of the Science City of Muñoz, Nueva Ecija: The challenges and best practices. The QUEST: Journal of Multidisciplinary Research and Development, 2(3). https://doi.org/10.60008/thequest.v2i3.137
- Gong, Y., Yang, J., & Shi, X. (2020). Towards a comprehensive understanding of digital transformation in government: Analysis of flexibility and enterprise architecture. Government Information Quarterly, 37(3), 101487. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.giq.2020.101487
- Guia, J. Ann D. (2022, August 26). Lauding the enactment of the Philippine Digital Workforce Competitiveness Act – Commission on Human Rights, Philippines. https://tinyurl.com/dwy26zpr
- Isolana, J. B. (2021). Public-Private Partnership (PPP) as an alternative model to public infrastructure development and service delivery: the case of PPP-Public Markets in the Philippines. Journal of Public Administration and Governance, 11(1), 40. https://doi.org/10.5296/jpag.v11i1.18213
- Juco, M., Maddawin, R., & Manasan, R. (2024). An assessment of the local government units’ functional assignments under a decentralized regime. https://doi.org/10.62986/dp2024.40
- Latupeirissa, J. J. P., Dewi, N. L. Y., Prayana, I. K. R., Srikandi, M. B., Ramadiansyah, S. A., & Pramana, I. B. G. A. Y. (2024). Transforming public service delivery: A comprehensive review of digitization initiatives. Sustainability, 16(7), 2818. https://doi.org/10.3390/su16072818
- Macabontoc, N. A., & Vargas, D. (2021). Public awareness and communication strategies in the implementation of environmental policies. SSRN. https://doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.3807060
- Manoharan, A.P., Melitski, J. & Holzer, M. Digital governance: An assessment of performance and best practices. Public Organiz Rev 23, 265–283 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11115-021-00584-8
- Marangella, P. (2025, February 14). Council post: From internet to AI: Generational shifts in technology adoption driving Asia-Pacific’s digital transformation. Forbes. https://tinyurl.com/bddfrtkr
- Moreno, F., & Zabala, C. (2023). Digitalization of municipal governments in the Zamboanga Peninsula Region, Philippines: Problems, viability, and way forward. SSRN Electronic Journal. https://doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.4519195
- Moreno, Frede, and Sulasula, Josephine. Decentralized governance and local government management in the Zamboanga Peninsula Region, Philippines: An analytical review (November 27, 2024). SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=5036731 or http://dx.doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.5036731
- Navarro, A. M. (2024). Challenges and opportunities in subnational public-private partnerships in the Philippines (Discussion Paper No. 2024-43). Philippine Institute for Development Studies. https://doi.org/10.62986/dp2024.43
- Philippine Information Agency. (2025, March 7). Driving grassroots growth one LGU at a time. https://pia.gov.ph/driving-grassroots-growth-one-lgu-at-a-time/
- Philippine Digital Workforce Competitiveness Act - Republic Act No. 11927. (n.d.). https://www.digest.ph/laws/philippine-digital-workforce-competitiveness-act
- Raboy, L. J. M., & Cimene, F. T. (2019). Digital Divide in Urban Barangay Governance and its policy and research implications. International Journal of Innovative Research and Development, 8(3). https://doi.org/10.24940/ijird/2019/v8/i3/mar19020
- Ramos, T. P., Lorenzo, P. J. M., Ancheta, J. A., & Ballesteros, M. M. (2023). Are Philippine cities ready to become smart cities? Philippine institute for development studies. Https://doi.org/10.62986/rps2023.02
- Ramos, T. P., Lorenzo, P. J. M., Ancheta, J. A., & Ballesteros, M. M. (2022). How far have Philippine LGUs come in developing into smart cities? Philippine Institute for Development Studies. https://pidswebs.pids.gov.ph/CDN/PUBLICATIONS/pidspn2207.pdf
- Republic Act No. 11927. (2022). An act to enhance the Philippine digital workforce competitiveness, establishing for the purpose an inter-agency council for development and competitiveness. https://lawphil.net/statutes/repacts/ra2022/ra_11927_2022.html
- Riswati, R. (2021). Implementasi tata kelola pemerintahan daerah berbasis digitalisasi teknologi di indonesia. Jurnal Media Birokrasi, 3(2), 1–15. https://doi.org/10.33701/jmb.v3i2.2474
- Torda, G. (2024). Strengthening local governance: Overcoming barriers to equitable development in the Philippines. Preprint. https://doi.org/10.13140/RG.2.2.34831.39843
- UNDP Philippines. (2021). Strengthening digital governance and workforce resilience in the Philippines: Policy insights and recommendations. United Nations Development Programme. https://www.undp.org/philippines
- Villaseñor, R. A. M. (2024). The public service digitalization in the Philippines towards a national program to capacitate digital frontliners. Journal of Public Administration and Governance, 14(2), 1–16. https://doi.org/10.5296/jpag.v14i2.22106
Full Text:
Note: Kindly Login or Register to gain access to this article.
ISSN 2984-8385 (Online)
ISSN 2984-8288 (Print)