DOTr chief urges former OFWs to work in 'Build Build Build'
FREEPORT ---Transportation Secretary Arthur P. Tugade has reiterated his call to overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) to join the work force of the agency which is implementing several big ticket infra projects under the government's "Build Build Build" program.
Tugade called on former OFWs to make use of available employment opportunities in the country and be given priority to work under the Build, Build, Build Infrastructure Program of the Duterte Administration.
The Department of Transportation (DOTR) chief made the call during the 2021 Migrant Workers' Day celebration organized by the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), where he and Labor Secretary
Silvestre Bello III signed a memorandum of agreement (MOA) with the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) to provide employment to OFWs displaced by the COVID-19 pandemic.
“This agreement will serve a dual purpose. First, our repatriated OFWs who are out of work will be able to work under the DOTr at narito sila sa sarili nilang bansa. They no longer need to go out of the country because work is here at home. Second, we will not be looking elsewhere in getting the needed workforce to finish various infrastructure projects,” Tugade said.
With many countries dealing with the COVID19 pandemic, the employment of many OFWs were affected, forcing them to return home,
Tugade said.
In recognition of their sacrifice, the government reached out to the displaced OFWs and immediately offered them assistance, he added.
“Using a whole-of-government approach in dealing with this pressing situation, nagsamasama ‘ho tayong lahat— ang DOTr, ang DOLE at ang OWWA— upang makatulong sa ating mga OFWs. Ganyan 'ho pinahahalagahan ng pamahalaan ang inyong kapakanan,” said Tugade.
Under the agreement, the DOTr will provide OWWA with a list of vacant positions and skills required where an OFW can apply for work.
The DOTr will likewise inform OWWA of other projects that may benefit OFWs.
Tugade said 200 former OFWs now employed to work on the PNR Clark Phase 1 Pr oject .
He added that 2,000 more available jobs will be made available to prioritize not only OFWs, but also displaced public utility drivers and conductors once the project becomes operat i onal .
The transportation chief also told Bello his favorite success story about "Deo," a former OFW who worked as an engineer in Denmark but is now practicing his profession in the Build, Build, Build Program.
“Siya ay pumunta sa Clark upang umattend ng pulong-pulong kasama ang kanyang asawa at anak. Sinabi n'ya, ‘Handa akong magtrabaho sa Republika ng Pilipinas! Gumawa ako ng tren, subway para sa ibang bansa. Gusto ko naman tumulong at gumawa ng mga proyektong ito para sa kapwa ko Pilipino, sa mahal kong bansa’. Maraming taon ang
FREEPORT --- Cebu Pacific (CEB) carried another batch of 1 million COVID-19 vaccine doses from Beijing to Manila on June 6, 2021.
This the fourth shipment picked up by CEB, in coordination with the Department of Health (DOH).
These vaccines were safely flown in temperature-controlled containers, aboard CEB's chartered A330 flight 5J 671, and arrived at the NAIA at 7:35 AM.
“We remain optimistic that the continuous airlifting of these life-saving vaccines will pave the way in inoculating a sizeable amount of the population. We appreciate the support of Cebu Pacific and other Philippine carriers in this mission of distributing COVID 19 vaccine supplies even to the far regions of the archipelago,” said vaccine czar, Sec. Carlito Galvez, Jr., chief implementer of the National Task Force Against COVID-19.
Upon arrival in Manila, all vaccines were inspected by authorities prior to transfer to cold storage vans and facilities.
“We remain grateful for the opportunity to support the government’s vaccination program,” Alex Reyes, Chief Strategy Officer at Cebu Pacific. “We are keen to transport the vaccines, whether internationally or domestically, so that our national vaccination campaign meets its targets.”
Over the week, CEB also transported a total of 51,800 Covid-19 vaccine doses to five provinces, namely, Puerto Princesa, Cagayan de Oro, Cotabato, Zamboanga, and Tuguegarao.
CEB has already transported 3.5 million vaccine doses from China to Manila, and more than 1.1 million doses to various parts of the Philippines since March this year.
CEB operates the widest domestic network in the Philippines covering 32 destinations, on top of its six (6) international destinations. Its 75-strong fleet, one of the youngest in the world, includes two (2) dedicated ATR freighters and one (1) A330 freighter.
kanyang iginugugol sa ibang bansa, ngayon nakikiisa sya sa proyekto ng Pilipino para sa Pilipino,” Tugade said.
He added that employment opportunities abound in the DOTr, where former OFWs can “work without leaving home” and at the same time earn a decent income.
“Nariyan ang mga proyekto sa riles, paliparan, kalsada, ports projects. Andito ang oportunidad. Pumasok kayo at gamitin ang oportunidad na nandito,” he said.