The Department of Economy, Planning, and Development (DEPDev), in collaboration with the Australian Government’s Investing in Women initiative and Isla Lipana & Co. (PwC Philippines), successfully conducted a workshop on November 19, 2025, to analyze private-sector experiences with Flexible Working Arrangements (FWAs).
The collaborative event served as a critical step in developing policies that support an equitable and resilient labor market.
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DEPDev Undersecretary Rosemarie G. Edillon highlighted the strategic importance of FWAs. She emphasized their potential to address persistent labor market challenges and cultivate an economy that champions care and well-being for its workforce.
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Mr. Daniel Simson, First Secretary of the Australian Embassy, reaffirmed the Australian Government’s dedication to promoting gender equality and fostering inclusive employment policies within the Philippines.
Interactive discussions during the workshop led to the identification of preliminary policy recommendations derived from the ongoing FWA study. These recommendations are specifically designed to align with and support the nation’s strategic Trabaho Para sa Bayan (TPB) Plan 2025–2034.
The study’s ultimate goal is to pinpoint actionable policies that promote sustainable and inclusive employment, with a particular focus on empowering vulnerable groups, including:
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Women
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Workers with disabilities
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Employees with caregiving responsibilities
To ensure the policies are robust and comprehensive, a broader validation workshop is scheduled for early 2026. This crucial session will convene a diverse group of stakeholders—including private employers, employees, rights-based organizations, government agencies, and development partners—to further refine and solidify the policy recommendations.
