To help further make the Philippines an attractive investment destination, the Philippine Economic Zone Authority (PEZA) and the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) inked a data-sharing agreement (DSA) to streamline the visa processing for foreign workers in ecozones.
The agreement aims to expedite and shorten government processes to further support the entry of strategic investments in the country, a move crucial for enhancing the investment climate in the Philippines.
The landmark DSA is in line with the government’s “green lane initiative,” which aims to expedite and streamline government processes to further support the entry of strategic investments in the country.
Last year, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. led the launch of the Green Lanes for Strategic Investments, established through Executive Order No. 18, which was signed in February 2023.
In his speech during the event, the President said his administration is giving the highest priority to ease of doing business as the government listens to the concerns of prospective investors.
“I am confident that the green lanes will pave the way for the realization of many investments,” the President added.
The President also reiterated his administration’s commitment to creating a more efficient and business-friendly environment, stating that “the establishment of these green lanes is meant to support the investment leads that we have been accumulating from our investment missions.”
Meanwhile, the DSA highlights the beginning of more collaborations between PEZA and DOLE on relevant aspects of ecozone management and ease of doing business initiatives.
Under the agreement, a secure and simplified framework for data exchange between PEZA and DOLE are established by integrating their functions to expedite information sharing, particularly in issuing the AEP, a prerequisite for PEZA Visa issuance to foreign nationals seeking employment within PEZA economic zones.
PEZA Chief Tereso Panga said the agreement is a milestone in enhancing the ease of doing business (EODB) in the country.
“By aligning processes and policies, we are fostering a faster, more transparent, and service-oriented environment, while safeguarding the rights of Filipino workers. This partnership with DOLE reflects our dedication to efficiency and excellent service delivery,” he noted.
For his part, Labor and Employment Secretary Bienvenido Laguesma said the agreement strengthens employment verification measures in PEZA ecozones, ensuring accountability and security while addressing the operational needs of both agencies.
“It also supports the understudy training program as outlined in the revised implementing guidelines of AEP, which are expected to be finalized this month,” he added.
The DSA also supports DOLE’s mandate to oversee the employment of foreign nationals and their contribution to the local workforce through understudy and skills transfer programs. These initiatives aim to equip Filipino workers with technical expertise in highly specialized fields, strengthening the country’s labor competitiveness.
Director General Panga explained that the signing of this agreement also complements the goals of the Philippine Labor and Employment Plan (PLEP) 2023-2028 by enhancing data integration, optimizing resources, and ensuring labor market programs meet the needs of investors, locators, and Filipino workers.
As both agencies move forward, PEZA reaffirmed DOLE’s commitment to resolving stakeholder concerns and maintaining best practices. This joint initiative represents significant stride toward building an inclusive, robust economy benefiting both local and foreign stakeholders.
The landmark agreement is seen to shorten the length of time in ushering in new investments into the country as well as providing a more efficient process for current investors who rotate their foreign managers who oversee their businesses in the PEZA Ecozones.
PEZA and DOLE vowed to further strengthen their partnership to provide employment for Filipinos and serve as instruments in further improving ease of doing business practices and policies, not only in the ecozones but the entire country.
