The Philippines’ Department of Trade and Industry recently signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with two other government agencies in order to gain momentum in preparing the labour sector for future production requirements in the manufacturing industry in light of Industry 4.0.
According to a recent press release, the recently concluded Manufacturing Summit 2019 saw two formal MoU signings.
First MoU
The first MoU involved the DTI, the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), and the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA).
This signing allowed for the formal inclusion of the two latter agencies in the expanded MoU between government agencies, which was signed last year.
DTI, DOLE and TESDA will be cooperating on the innovation initiatives agreement, specifically on HR Development, reskilling, and upskilling of the workforce.
Aside from DTI, the other initial MoU signatories from last year are:
- Department of Science and Technology (DOST)
- National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA)
- Department of Education (DepEd)
- Commission on Higher Education (CHED)
- Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT)
- Department of Agriculture (DA)
Second MoU
The second MoU, meanwhile, is an agreement of cooperation specifically between DTI and Siemens, which would provide assistance to the Department in advancing Industry 4.0 initiatives in the country.
Both parties agreed to closely collaborate in creating an Industry 4.0 roadmap that is geared towards ushering the manufacturing industry and the Philippines towards the Fourth Industrial Revolution.
DTI Secretary Ramon Lopez is hopeful that these MoU signings can help revitalise the manufacturing sector.
This is the sector that can bring in more jobs for the Filipinos, helping achieve the Government’s vision of having more Filipinos live more comfortable lives.
Brief History
According to the World Economic Forum, Industry 4.0, or the Fourth Industrial Revolution (IR 4.0), is described as the advent of “cyber-physical systems,” enmeshing digital technology with the physical society and enterprises, resulting to entirely new capabilities for people and machines.
While these capabilities are reliant on the technologies and infrastructure of the Third Industrial Revolution, Industry 4.0 represents entirely new ways in which technology becomes embedded within societies and even the human bodies.
Examples of which include:
- Genome editing
- New forms of machine intelligence
- Breakthrough materials and approaches to governance, which rely on cryptographic methods such as the blockchain.
As can be recalled, the First Industrial Revolution introduced the steam engine and mechanical production in the 1700s.
The Second Industrial Revolution saw the usage of electricity, mass production, and division of labour in the 1800s.
As was mentioned earlier, the Third Industrial Revolution started in the late 1960s with the advent of electronics, IT, and automated production.