The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) on Thursday said the new Regular Foreign Investment Negative List (RFINL) would help the local work force to be ready for the fourth industrial revolution dominated by robots and automation.
The DOLE’s Bureau of Local Employment (BLE) said the relaxed provisions allowing foreigners to teach in the country would help in the global competitiveness of Filipino students.
Under the 11th RFINL or Executive Order 65, foreigners may now teach at higher education provided their subject matter will not be “professional,” or those included in the board or Bar exams.
BLE Director Dominique Rubia Tutay said the provision will encourage more local academic institutions to tap foreign experts in teaching new fields like robotics and artificial intelligence (AI).
She earlier said the country is still lagging when it comes to producing workers who are competent in using new technology due to the lack of local experts on it.
“What we need in the education sector is to bring in global experts to our current pool of educators so there will be fresh, current and relevant methods in teaching and learning,” told the BusinessMirror via SMS.
In the past, Tutay said academic institutions have a hard time getting foreign experts since they have to apply for permits from the Professional Regulation Commission (PRC).
With the new RFINL, PRC Chairman Teofilo S. Pilando Jr. said foreigners would now only have to get a special permit from them if they will teach elementary, high school or professional subjects.
As an additional perk of the RFINL, Pilando said it will also entice more countries to include a reciprocity clause in their agreements with the Philippines in recognizing the qualification of professionals.
The reciprocity clause allows foreigners the opportunity to practice their profession in the Philippines, if their countries also offer the same privilege to Filipinos.
“This [RFINL] new development would show the liberalization of our economy…this will further open up opportunities for our professionals [abroad],” Pilando told the BusinessMirror in an interview.
In the latest RFINL, there are currently five professions which are banned for foreigners: radiologic and x-ray technology; criminology; law; marine deck officers; and marine engine officers.
Pilando said there is a pending bill which is expected to also open up criminology to foreigners.
“The negative list cannot go beyond to what the law provides, so to a certain extent, it is also limited [in its reforms],” Pilando said.