Trabaho Para Sa Bayan plan complete by Q4 – Balisacan

THE Trabaho Para sa Bayan (TPB) Plan is expected to be completed by the fourth quarter (Q4) of this year, Socioeconomic Planning Secretary Arsenio Balisacan told reporters on Tuesday, with the creative and digitalization sectors as priorities.

Balisacan said that this will “serve as the country’s master plan for generating employment and creating high-quality jobs.”

“With the proper implementation of this Landmark Act, we will facilitate stronger coordination and partnerships among relevant agencies and stakeholders to help implement programs to raise productivity.” Balisacan said, referring to Republic Act (RA) 11962, or the “Trabaho Para sa Bayan Act.”

“We will also strengthen the linkages between industry, the academe and the government to address skills mismatches and enhance the competitiveness of Filipino workers,” he added.

Signed last September 2023, RA 11962 served as a platform to create a master plan for increasing the number and quality of employment opportunities in the country.

Earlier this month, the implementing rules and regulations (IRR) of the TPB Act was signed by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.

Before the ceremonial signing, the National Economic Development Authority initiated a public consultation to finalize the IRR. Some employees, employers, the informal sector and vulnerable groups participated in the consultation.

On March 12, Balisacan led the signing of the IRR together with Sen. Emmanuel Joel Villanueva, Labor Secretary Bienvenido Laguesma, Trade Undersecretary and Officer in Charge Ceferino Rodolfo, and other government officials.

“We recognize that we have much to do in our efforts if we wish to further equip our workers with emerging and in-demand skills that are adaptive to the fastpaced and ever-changing domestic and global economy,” Balisacan said.

While the government is making strides toward developing more quality jobs for the Filipinos, Balisacan acknowledged that there are still a lot of points that need to be taken to be able to achieve the government’s goal.

“Growth must sustainably produce better jobs and socioeconomic opportunities for the Filipino people,” Balisacan said.

The jobless rate moved up to 4.5 percent in January from 3.1 percent in December, which translates to 2.15 million unemployed Filipinos, 550,000 more than the 1.60 million in December. It is lower than the 2.38 million in January last year, reflecting a yearon-year drop of 230,000 jobless individuals.

The number of individuals with jobs, meanwhile, reached 45.94 million, down from 50.52 million in December. The figure for employed individuals in January 2022 stood at 47.35 million.

“Our pursuit of policies will be adaptive to the responsibilities of female workers and the evolving work landscape, with a focus on supporting vulnerable sectors, including those in the creative industry,” Balisacan said.

The IRR will be published in the Official Gazette within 15 days from its signing.