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Invest in human capital development: Senate Majority Leader Joel Villanueva urges delegates during the second day of the 31st Annual Meeting of the Asia-Pacific Parliamentary Forum (APPF-31) Friday, November 24, 2023, to intensify their efforts in promoting human capital development in the region and increasing investments for the same. Despite the spectacular growth the Asia Pacific region has experienced over the past half century, Villanueva said the region remains to have the largest number of people living in extreme poverty, with millions living on less than US$2.15 a day. On the part of the Philippines, he noted that the country had made significant strides in enacting landmark legislations for the promotion of human capital development, such as the Tulong-Trabaho Law, Philippine Digital Workforce Competitiveness Act, the Philippine Qualifications Framework Act, and the recently enacted Trabaho Para sa Bayan Act. However, he emphasized that much still has to be done if we are to fully achieve the sustainable development goals on human capital development and inclusive growth. Thus, the collective efforts of APPF member-countries are crucial in this endeavor. The Philippines is hosting this year’s 31st APPF Annual Meeting which is attended by parliamentarians from 19 countries. (Bibo Nueva España/Senate PRIB)