The Metro Bacolod Chamber of Commerce and Industry and the entire province of Negros Occidental are proud of the recent promotion of former Third District Representative Jose Francisco ‘Kiko’ B. Benitez to Director General of the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA). As a gesture of salute, Rediscovering Negros dedicates this special feature to our very own Cong. Kiko, now known as TESDA-Man!
(CONG.) Kiko’s Legislative Legacy
The PENCAS Act or Republic Act No. 11995, the Philippine Ecosystem and Natural Capital Accounting System Act establishes a systematic approach to natural capital accounting in the Philippines. The law mandates the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) to measure the economic value of our natural resources and the costs of disasters or climate change. The data will then be shared with national economic reports to show how our natural resources support the economy, jobs, and incomes.
Creating a Greener Future requires:
Private Sector Cooperation – PENCAS requires the Private Sector to provide and use natural capital data. Businesses will have access to this information to guide their strategies, while the Department of Finance will integrate national capital accounting (NCA) into fiscal policies. This will create incentives and influence the business landscape.
More Environmental Accountants – PENCAS will create new job opportunities by establishing positions in government agencies for its implementation and integrating NCA into education and professional training, equipping both current and future workforce with essential skills in this area.
PENCAS Training – The DEPED, CHED, TESDA, and state universities and colleges are tasked with crafting modules in all levels and modalities of basic, technical, vocational, and higher education to capacitate the citizenry on PENCAS. To develop the necessary knowledge and skills in the future workforce.
The Blue Economy Act establishes the National Maritime Council which is mandated to create a comprehensive framework to develop and protect the Philippines’ coastal and marine resources. The Blue Economy Act’s ultimate goal is to shift unsustainable extraction methods of our ocean-based industries to more low-carbon, sustainable practices in light of the growing threat of climate change.
Building a Bluer Economy requires:
Environmental Stewardship – The law aspires for a Filipino population ready to develop skills and a stewardship mindset to care for our seas and coasts. A population willing protect and conserve marine and coastal ecosystems for current and future generations.
Scientific Expertise – It highlights the need for skilled individuals equipped with scientific knowledge to guide policy decisions about our seas and coasts and to adapt effectively to changing maritime environments.
Whole-of-nation approach – The law requires a whole-of-nation approach and comprehensive framework for stewardship of seas and coasts, needing cooperation between the government, the private sector, and civil society.
The enactment of the PENCAS and Blue Economy Acts marks a significant milestone in the Philippines’ journey towards a sustainable and resilient future. These laws help create a future where prosperity and environmental health coexist harmoniously. A future we want to to live.
The Future We Want To See.
Lastly, Benitez plans to develop a comprehensive lifelong learning framework designed to provide ongoing skill development opportunities and develop clearer pathways for career development and continuing education in consonance with the Philippine Qualifications Framework. He wants to ensure that the workforce remains adaptable and capable of meeting future challenges Climate Change and the Fourth Industrial Revolution.
Through these initiatives, he is confident that a robust, future-ready workforce will drive sustainable economic growth and address the demands this VUCA world. Director General Kiko Benitez‘s visionary leadership and commitment to sustainable development are instrumental in shaping the Philippines’ path towards “the future we want to live.” These pioneering laws and his leadership in TESDA will form part of the foundation for a thriving, resilient, and inclusive nation.