Act will serve as PH master plan on employment generation,recovery

SENATOR Christopher “Bong” Go has co-sponsored Senate Bill No. 2035 or the “Trabaho para sa Bayan Act” which seeks to establish a master plan on employment generation and recovery to achieve short-term and long-term goals and visions for the country. The measure was principally sponsored by Majority Leader Senator Joel Villanueva.

In his co-sponsorship speech, Go emphasized the importance of providing decent and equal job opportunities for all Filipinos, especially during the ongoing pandemic.

He pointed out that many Filipinos have lost their jobs due to the pandemic, and the unemployment rate in January 2023 rose to 4.8 percent from 4.3 percent the previous month, affecting 2.37 million Filipinos.

“This measure will stimulate national and local economic growth and development through aligning investment and other incentives provided by law for decent job generation, including reintegration of Overseas Filipino Workers,” said Go.

Go also highlighted the importance of adequate planning and strategy to create enough jobs.

“Dapat po talaga may sapat na pagpaplano at stratehiya para makalikha tayo ng sapat na trabaho. Through the Trabaho Para sa Bayan Plan, we will promote the employability, competitiveness, wellness, and productivity of workers,” he said.

If passed, the Trabaho Para sa Bayan Act will establish the National Employment Master Plan, known as the “Trabaho Para sa Bayan Plan.”

This plan will serve as the state’s master plan on employment generation and recovery to achieve short-term and long-term goals and visions for the country.

It will have four objectives: to stimulate economic growth and development, promote employability and competitiveness of workers, provide support and incentives to businesses, and incentivize employers and industry stakeholders.

The measure will apply to national, regional, and local government units, without prejudice to the right of the Bangsamoro Government and its component LGUs to adopt and implement projects and programs for labor and employment, consistent with national policies, laws, rules, and regulations.

The Trabaho Para sa Bayan Plan will include a three-year, six-year, and ten-year development timeline for its vision, mission, goals, and milestones.

A Trabaho Para sa Bayan Inter-Agency Council will formulate success measures, key performance indicators, and action components, including providing support for the establishment, business continuity, and growth of micro, small, and medium enterprises, skilling, upskilling, and reskilling the workforce, encouraging and providing incentives to employers and other private sector organizations, and ensuring a stable and conducive business environment.

The bill also provides for the establishment of the Trabaho Para sa Bayan Fund, which will provide the necessary funding for the implementation of the Trabaho Para sa Bayan Plan. The fund will be sourced from various government agencies, donations, grants, and other sources.

In line with efforts to promote economic development in the country, Go has earlier lauded the Senate for approving SBN 1594 which aims to institutionalize the One Town, One Product Philippines Program. Go, who authored and co-sponsored the measure, said that it will serve as a government stimulus program to encourage the growth of MSMEs in the country through the utilization of indigenous raw materials, local traditions, and cultures across the country.

“Supporting small businesses plays a crucial role for the country. MSMEs are often the drivers of innovation and entrepreneurship. They can quickly respond to changing market demands and develop new products or services that meet the needs of their customers,” underscored Go.

Go likewise reintroduced SBN 1182 or the proposed Government Financial Institutions Unified Initiatives to Distressed Enterprises for Economic Recovery Act in a bid to strengthen the capacity of government financial institutions to provide the needed financial assistance to MSMEs, and other strategically important companies.

Go pointed out that the proposed GUIDE Act is among the priority measures mentioned by President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. during the latter’s first State of the Nation Address.

At the height of the pandemic, Go was likewise instrumental in the implementation of the Small Business Wage Subsidy program, which provided eligible workers who were unable to work or get paid during the enhanced community quarantine period with two tranches of financial assistance.