The Philippine Economic Zone Authority (PEZA) and the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) signed a data sharing agreement (DSA) to optimize the issuance of Alien Employment Permits (AEP) for foreign nationals and fostering job creation for Filipinos.
PEZA director-general Tereso Panga and DOLE Secretary Bienvenido Laguesma signed the ARP that will simplify PEZA visa application and processing system on Dec. 16, 2024.
The DSA establishes a secure and efficient framework for data exchange between the two agencies, particularly in the issuance of AEPs which is a prerequisite for PEZA visa issuance to foreign nationals seeking employment within economic zones.
The integration will accelerate information sharing and processing times, benefiting both foreign investors and Filipino workers.
Panga said the agreement is a critical development in enhancing the country’s ease of doing business (EODB).
“By aligning our processes and policies, we are creating a faster, more transparent, and service-oriented environment while safeguarding the rights of Filipino workers. This partnership with DOLE underscores our commitment to efficiency and excellent service delivery,” he said.
Both agencies recognized the symbiotic relationship between economic growth, job creation, and effective public service. The DSA reflects their shared commitment to positioning the Philippines as a premier investment destination, while prioritizing employment opportunities for Filipino workers.
“We continuously monitor PEZA because we want to see more job opportunities created for our fellow Filipinos,” Laguesma said.
The DSA also aligns with DOLE’s mandate to oversee the employment of foreign nationals and their contribution to the local workforce through skills transfer and understudy programs.
“This agreement supports the objectives of the Philippine Labor and Employment Plan (PLEP) 2023–2028 by improving data integration, optimizing resources, and ensuring that labor market programs align with the needs of investors, locators and Filipino workers,” Panga said.
PEZA and DOLE pledged to further strengthen their partnership, not only to create more jobs for Filipinos but also to improve the ease of doing business across the country.
