DOLE meets World Bank to tighten partnership

The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), headed by Secretary Bienvenido E. Laguesma, meets with the representatives of the World Bank at the Occupational Safety and Health Center in Quezon City on 17 November 2025. The meeting aims to strengthen ongoing collaboration on digital workforce development, labor market reforms, and social protection initiatives. The discussion focused on the implementation of the Philippine Digital Workforce Competitiveness Act, the review of the Philippine Qualifications Framework, and the rollout of the Global Accelerator Initiative to boost decent job creation and social protection in priority sectors. Secretary Laguesma is joined by Undersecretary Carmela I. Torres, Assistant Secretary Joel M. Gonzales, and Bureau of Local Employment Director Patrick P. Patriwirawan, Jr. Representing World Bank are Director Zafer Mustafaoglu, Lead Economist Gonzalo Varela, Operations Manager Dandan Chen, Senior Economist Emman Montiel, and Senior Social Protection Specialist Ruth Rodriguez. Photos by Ali Creo/DOLE-IPS