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The Philippine Economic Zone Authority and Department of Labor and Employment signed a data sharing agreement facilitating the employment of foreign nationals in PEZA-administered economic zones
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The collaboration 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
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The DSA paves the way for a more coordinated performance of complementing regulatory functions between the two agencies – DOLE’s issuance of alien employment permits and PEZA’s issuance of PEZA Visas
The Philippine Economic Zone Authority (PEZA) and Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) signed a data sharing agreement (DSA) facilitating the employment of foreign nationals in PEZA-administered economic zones.
The collaboration is also 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.
Signed on December 16 by Labor Secretary Bienvenido Laguesma and PEZA director general Tereso Panga, the DSA paves the way for a more coordinated and efficient performance of the complementing regulatory functions between the two agencies – DOLE’s issuance of alien employment permits (AEPs) and PEZA’s issuance of PEZA Visas.
The AEP is a pre-requisite for PEZA Visa issuance to foreign nationals seeking employment within PEZA’s economic zones.
The partnership aims to streamline regulatory processes, enhance verification methods, and facilitate ease of doing business in the country, DOLE said in a statement.
“The signing of the Data Sharing Agreement marks another significant step in the collaboration between DOLE and PEZA in promoting our shared goal to make the Philippines a preferred investment destination and to ensure that Filipino workers are given a first preference for employment opportunities in economic zones,” Laguesma said.
For his part, Panga in a separate statement said: “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.”
The DSA enables the sharing of critical data between DOLE and PEZA, including information on foreign nationals intending to work in PEZA-administered economic zones, issued with AEPs and Certificates of Exemption and Exclusion, and those with canceled/revoked AEPs and certificates. This shared data will
facilitate more efficient verification processes for PEZA Visas and enhance the overall regulatory framework.
Recognizing that economic growth and job creation are interconnected and driven by efficient public service, PEZA said the DSA reflects the shared commitment of PEZA and DOLE to establish the Philippines as a prime investment destination in the region, while prioritizing employment opportunities
for Filipino workers.
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, PEZA noted.
Moreover, Panga said the DSA “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.
