Gov’t, private sector vow to create more jobs for Filipinos

Both public and private sectors have committed to continue creating more jobs for Filipinos as the country recovers from the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic.

During the 120th Labor Day Trabaho, Negosyo, Kabuhayan Job and Business fair in Pampanga on Sunday, May 1, Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Secretary Ramon Lopez said foreign direct investments (FDIs) that the Philippines secured last year would generate more employment.

The Philippines logged its highest FDI net inflows last year amounting to USD10.52 billion. This has leapfrogged the country from ranking sixth to fourth spot in Southeast Asia with largest FDI.

Lopez added the annual average of FDI net inflows during the Duterte administration grew three times to USD9.1 billion compared to the previous administration’s annual average of USD3.5 billion.

“Ang ibig sabihin noon, ‘yang malaking investments na ‘yan nagta-translate sa trabaho. Nakita naman natin kung paano mabilis na maka-recover,” the trade chief said.

He added with policy measures of the government amid the global health and economic crisis, the administration is successful in saving lives, jobs, and livelihood in the country.

Lopez also urged Filipinos, especially workers who are now out of their homes and facing the new normal, to get their booster shots to avoid another surge in COVID-19 cases.

Early last year, the government launched the National Employment Recovery Strategy (NERS), responsible for stimulating jobs creation amid the adverse impacts of Covid-19 to employment and livelihood.