The Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI) is calling for a stronger partnership between higher education and local business sectors to reshape the national General Education (GE) curriculum, aiming to better align college graduates with real-world workforce demands.
Through its Human Resources Development Foundation, Inc. (PCCIHRDF) and Education Cluster, the country’s largest business group recently convened key academic leaders, policymakers, and corporate executives for a strategic roundtable in Taguig City. The discussion focused on evaluating proposed updates from the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) to ensure degree programs build job-ready skills without sacrificing the core critical thinking and ethical foundations of liberal education.
Closing the Skills Gap for Regional Competitiveness
PCCI President Perry Ferrer emphasized that modernizing higher education is critical as ASEAN expands its footprint as a global center for trade and technological innovation.
“Let us take this opportunity to prepare our future leaders, our future unicorns,” Ferrer urged stakeholders. “The curriculum we build today will define the workforce of tomorrow.”
Ferrer noted that reviewing the GE curriculum offers a vital chance to eliminate redundant coursework, streamline learning outcomes, and directly address skill mismatches currently affecting the Philippine labor market.
Proactive Reforms Ahead of 2028 Implementation
While CHED has deferred the official rollout of the revised General Education curriculum until 2028, PCCI is pressing stakeholders not to treat the delay as a period of inactivity.
During the roundtable, resource speaker and De La Salle University Political Science Professor Dr. Antonio Contreras led discussions on navigating the practical challenges of updating academic frameworks while preserving broad-based intellectual development.
Next Steps: Policy Proposals at PBC&E
The actionable insights and industry feedback gathered from the dialogue will be synthesized into a formal policy recommendation paper. PCCI plans to submit these recommendations to government officials during the 52nd Philippine Business Conference & Expo (PBC&E), scheduled for October 13–14, 2026, at The Manila Hotel.
By spearheading this initiative, PCCI continues its commitment to driving evidence-based educational reforms that foster sustainable economic growth, higher employability, and global competitiveness for Filipino professionals.
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