The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) successfully conducted the World Association of Public Employment Services-Asia-Pacific Regional Conference 2025 (WAPES-APRC) on November 6–7 in Clark, Pampanga, uniting representatives from Asia-Pacific countries to emphasize regional collaboration and the formation of strong relationships among public employment services (PES).
In line with President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr.’s directive to generate additional employment opportunities nationwide, the first day of the conference highlighted the best practices of WAPES member countries, particularly in developing strategies to boost the employability of older workers, leveraging technology in PES to ease the transition of youth from education to employment, and analyzing the effects of overseas worker policies on demographic trends and labor shortages.
The conference also examined the digital transformation of PES offices, particularly the modernization of operations to deliver more efficient and effective services.
DOLE Secretary Bienvenido E. Laguesma and WAPES Executive Secretary Amandine Moignard also led the signing of a conference resolution aimed at enhancing employment facilitation and promoting the digital transformation of PES. DOLE Undersecretary Carmela I. Torres and Assistant Secretary Joel M. Gonzales, along with foreign delegates, witnessed the signing of the conference resolution.
Also part of the event was a study tour to select PES project sites in Pampanga, where the foreign delegates directly observed the implementation of public employment interventions in the Philippines. The purpose of these visits was for participants to observe how the public employment services office works with different companies to promote employment opportunities, support business development, and build partnerships.
WAPES Executive Secretary Moignard expressed gratitude to the DOLE “for the outstanding organization, the warm hospitality, and the deep sense of partnership that has marked every aspect of this event.”
Through WAPES-APRC 2025, the Labor Department is fully committed to growing employment in the Philippines in partnership with various countries.
