CDC President and CEO Atty. Agnes VST Devanadera (second from left) joins Technical Education and Skills Development Authority Secretary Jose Francisco “Kiko” Benitez (leftmost) during the event. Also present are (from left to right) CDC Director Atty. Helen Nicolette Henson, Commission on Higher Education Commissioner Michelle Ong, and CDC Vice President for Security Services Group PMGen. Lina Sarmiento (Ret.).
CLARK FREEPORT — The Clark Development Corporation (CDC) formally welcomed delegates and competitors to the WorldSkills Philippines Clark 2026 Opening Ceremony at the SMX Convention Center Ballroom, highlighting the role of skills development in strengthening workforce readiness and sustaining investor confidence.
CDC President and CEO Atty. Agnes VST Devanadera emphasized that the competition demonstrates how skills training complements education and ensures employability.
“Investing in human capital shows sincerity in governance. Skills are the real currency of opportunity,” she said.
She noted that Clark hosts over 1,200 locators and 151,000 workers, and that Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA’s) programs help align industry needs with workforce capabilities.
“We must have the right skilled workers, the right skilled employees. That is the importance of what TESDA is doing, and the importance of this competition,” she added.
The WorldSkills Philippines Clark 2026 Opening Ceremony highlighted that practical skills complement academic credentials for the workforce, while assuring industries of qualified manpower to sustain operations in Clark and beyond. At the same time, it reinforced the Philippines’ standing as a competitive investment destination with disciplined, English-proficient workers and signaled community benefits through the forthcoming TESDA Innovation Center in Clark, which will provide accessible training and opportunities for local residents.
Atty. Devanadera closed by saluting TESDA’s leaders, employees, and competitors, affirming that skills development is central to human capital growth and national progress.
“You have shown the Philippines how it is to value human development and human capital. I give my salute to TESDA, the TESDA family, and our competitors. Good luck to everyone.”
TESDA Secretary and Director General Jose Francisco “Kiko” Benitez said the competition adopts the branding, format, and standards of WorldSkills International, providing Filipino competitors with a clearer pathway from local training and competitions to the ASEAN, Asian, and global stages.
“When we compete, we push the envelope further than we have ever done before. We blur the line between the possible and the impossible,” Benitez said, adding that WorldSkills showcases the country’s first-class technical-vocational talent and “the skills and the hands that build the nation.”
The ceremony featured the parade of regions, oathtaking of competitors and experts, as well as cultural performances.
WorldSkills Philippines Clark 2026 brings together 298 top regional qualifiers from 18 regions competing in 30 skill areas across six major sectors including Information and Communication Technology; Manufacturing and Engineering Technology; Construction and Building Technology; Social and Personal Services; Creative Arts and Fashion; and Transportation and Logistics. Formerly known as the Philippine National Skills Competition (PNSC), the event now follows the standards and framework of WorldSkills International to prepare Filipino talent for regional and global competitions.