An urgent proposal
DROWNED by the ongoing nationwide vaccination program against the deadly COVID-19 is news that the unemployment problem may worsen in impoverished Philippines.
Sen. Win Gatchalian said that Filipinos ought to brace for a higher unemployment rate following the recent re-imposition of strict health protocols in the NCR Plus Bubble.
Gatchalian urged the government to devise ways of providing employment opportunities to millions of jobless Filipinos, many of them displaced by the dreaded COVID-19 pandemic.
“Trabaho, hindi lang basta ayuda, ang dapat i-pursige…para masiguro na maitatawid ng marami nating kababayan ang mga arawang pangangailangan pang matagalan,” he said.
The highly-articulate senator from Valenzuela City said that infrastructure projects planned this year could generate 1.7 million jobs and an additional employment of 1.5 million for 2022.
But Gatchalian underscored the importance of launching a retooling program, which is seen to help displaced workers, including former overseas Filipino workers, acquire new skills.
He said this is one way of preparing these displaced workers for the emerging sectors in the post pandemic setting.
Of course, we share the view of the lawmaker that workers still lack digital skills. “We have to provide new skills for low-skilled workers which could help businesses stay competitive,” he added.
The workaholic legislator’s proposal reflects his genuine concern over the welfare of the millions of jobless and underemployed Filipinos and their dependents.
It’s a move in the right direction.
