STRENGTHENING linkages with the private sector and ensuring the ease of doing business (EODB) are the key steps in “future-proofing” the country’s job market against modern challenges, Labor Secretary Bienvenido Laguesma said.
During the Pre-SONA (State of the Nation Address) Special over state-run PTV Thursday, July 4, Laguesma said this is President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s marching order to government agencies to cushion the effect of market challenges and breakthroughs, including artificial intelligence.
“Alam natin na ang lumilikha talaga ng trabaho ay ang pribadong sektor, ang pangunahing responsibilidad ng pamahalaan ay lumikha ng isang enabling environment conducive to investment tsaka paglago ng negosyo. How do you do that, through digitalization, reducing the cost of doing business in the Philippines, saka ease in doing business,” Laguesma said.
He underscored the importance of stability in policies in enticing more investors.
Last month, the government launched the Trabaho Para sa Bayan (TPB) plan at the first-ever National Employment Summit.
The TPB is a 10-year roadmap that will serve as the national guide toward greater employment generation and recovery.
“Ang sinasaad noon ay ang paglilikha ng mga dekalidad at sustainable na hanapbuhay. Mabawasan ang ating poverty incidence na pwedeng i-address ng paglikha ng mas maraming hanapbuhay at dapat ay mas maging inclusive ‘yung pagbibigay ng serbisyo, pati ‘yung paglago ng ating ekonomiya, dapat ma-cascade natin sa lahat ng level ng ating lipunan,” the Labor chief said.
The TPB is expected to help generate at least 3 million new jobs by 2028.
Laguesma, citing data from the Department of Trade and Industry, said investment commitments from the foreign trips of the President are expected to generate an additional 200,000 jobs.
He said the DOLE is also sparing no effort in preparing the youth for employment through programs such as the Government Internship Program and the Special Program of Employment for Students.
The DOLE chief also said employers are responsible for adjusting workers’ salaries to maintain the wage gap.
This comes after the National Capital Region wage board approved a P35 hike in the daily pay of private sector workers in the region.
Laguesma said this is essential to uplift the morale of workers. (Philippine News Agency)
