Lacson offers solution to ensure job security for working class
WITH the bill seeking to end the practice of contractualization still languishing in Congress, independent presidential candidate Panfilo ‘Ping’ Lacson and the members of his policy team offered Filipinos alternative solutions to ensure job security for the working class.
Lacson’s team offered a sustainable employment deal program that will make Filipinos contribute their skills and talents towards nation-building and economic development once given the mandate to lead the country.
Under a six-page document that summarized the proposed policies of the veteran lawmaker, job programs that will match each one’s skills are in place for the Filipinos aged 18-55.
The Philippines , Lacson pointed out, has the largest working-age population in the world with over 40 million in its workforce.
“Gagawin ito sa pamamagitan ng universal database para pakinabangan ang kakayahan ng mga Pilipino, lalo ang mga kabataan, mga tanod, healthcare workers sa barangay at iba pang skilled workers,” the Lacson policy team added.
In his previous public statements, Lacson explained that implementing his digitalization plan is key towards accomplishing this mission because part of it is the establishment of a skills matching government database, which Filipino jobseekers can visit to find employment opportunities.
During a visit in Argao, Cebu, Lacson and his running mate Vicente “Tito” Sotto III stressed that having an informed citizenry would go a long way for the government to avoid some of the gaffes it encountered in the distribution of stimulus packages and other services in aid of those who grappled with the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic.
The tandem was referring in particular to stakeholders from the micro, small and medium-sized enterprises (MSME), who were badly hit during the height of the pandemic, that seemed clueless about whether they could rely on the state to tide them over amid the strict lockdowns imposed by the government.
In a town hall meeting held last Wednesday, Lacson assured small business owners and those under their employ that their concerns over significant job losses would be addressed through a comprehensive and targeted fiscal stimulus package, which he also wants to implement.
“There are so many programs available, which we can enhance. For example, the financial packages, comprehensive and targeted fiscal stimulus packages should be present to provide loans and even assistance. We have P2-billion under the national budget to attend to these needs,” Lacson said.
The presidential candidate explained that state-owned financial institutions such as the Development Bank of the Philippines (DBP) or Land Bank may offer loans at low-interest for the MSMEs and other affected sectors to ensure their continuing operations until they recover their pandemic losses.
“The problem was accessibility because the government has failed to inform our citizens that there is available funding from our financial institutions—DBP, Landbank and others—even our agri-MSMEs in the agriculture sector can access that,” Lacson said in a mix of English and Tagalog.
