Construction sector posts 4-M jobs

C LARK FREEPORT---The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) reported a yearon-year increase of 468,000 jobs generated in the construction sector based on a Labor Force Survey conducted by the Philippine Statistics Authority in April 2018.

DOLE Secretary Silvestre H. Bello III said, “We are elated with the strong performance of the construction sector. In April 2018, total employment in the sector reached 4.012 million from 3.544 million during the same period in 2017. This is a 13.2-percent increase.”

At the start of the Duterte administration in 2016, employment in the construction sector was at 3.381 million.

"Construction is the largest contributor to employment among the industry subsectors during the period and we believe the Build Build Build infrastructure program is the main driver of growth,” Bello added.

Secretary Mark Villar of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) said that the “Build Build Build is gaining momentum at an unprecedented rate,” noting that more jobs were generated during the first two years of the Duterte administration compared to five years prior.

“In the first quarter of 2018, the Gross Value Added in Construction is at 9.3 percent,” he added.

Department of Transportation (DOTr) Secretary Arthur Tugade also noted that the increase in infrastructure spending is expected to create around one million direct and indirect jobs annually.

According to the transport chief, “This administration, through the strong

OUTREACH - SM City Olongapo public relations manager Nette Mandac Mortel poses with Aeta families during an outreach program sponsored by the Ulo Ng Apo Mountaineering Association.