More than three million jobs will be generated by the government’s infrastructure programs, highlighting the contribution of several projects in addressing unemployment and underemployment.
Department of Public Works and Highways Sec. Manuel Bonoan said about P800 billion worth of big and small public infrastructure projects, or about 70,000 projects, have been allocated funding for this year alone.
He said the projects will require over three million skilled, unskilled, and technical personnel on an annual basis.
The government intends to increase infrastructure investment from around five to six percent of the annual output to around 8 percent by the end of the Marcos administration in June 2028.
He said the government will be relying on the private sector for assistance on contractors and suppliers, among others.
“But iyong skilled and unskilled labor, of course, this is in tandem with the Department of Labor on skills training at saka iyong sa Technical Education and Skills Development Authority. So, this is going to be a collaborative effort between our Department of Public Works and Highways and, of course, Department of Labor and Tesda,” he said.
Department of Labor and Employment Sec. Bienvenido Laguesma said during the same briefing the goal to increase jobs is part of the Labor and Employment Plan 2023-2028 in line with the Eight-Point Socio-Economic Agenda.
He said DOLE also has its National Technical Education Skills Development Plan for 2023-28, which is being outlined with Tesda.
“Kasi mahalaga na makita na ang trabahong ginagawa ng ating mga kababayan, ng mga manggagawa ay dekalidad, pangmatagalan at hindi lamang temporary, at mahalaga na isa-alang-alang iyong talagang pangangailangan ng mga sektor o industriya na mangangailangan po ng mga manggagawa sa mga darating na susunod na panahon,” he said.
In terms of workers’ pay, he is optimistic that with the demand for more skilled workers because of the infrastructure programs not only of the government but also the private sector, the increase in workers’ salary “will come naturally” given the rising demand for labor.
Laguesma added there are tripartite mechanisms that will assess workers’ pay and benefits. – PNA
