The Manila Hotel, City of Manila
June 27, 2024
“It is a momentous occasion because we gather the key players and stakeholders in the labor sector for the formulation of the ‘Trabaho Para sa Bayan’ Plan… The TBP plan will be one of the driving forces to help create at least three million new jobs by 2028,” President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. declared, heralding a new era of employment generation and economic growth in the Philippines as he convened the first-ever National Employment Summit at the Manila Hotel, City of Manila.
In his message, President Marcos Jr. underscored the significance of the ‘Trabaho Para sa Bayan’ (TPB) Plan, which aligns with the Philippine Development Plan (PDP), the Philippine Labor and Employment Plan (LEP), the Strategic Investment Priority Plan (SIPP) and the Workforce Development Plan (WDP). He emphasized that the goal is not merely to increase the number of jobs but to ensure that these are quality jobs that promote workers’ welfare, empowerment, competitiveness and security across all societal sectors.
Moreover, the Chief Executive highlighted the government’s proactive measures to address job-skills mismatch, underemployment and unemployment. These measures include reforms in the basic education curriculum, integrating Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) into the Senior High School curriculum, and implementing various employment facilitation initiatives.
He rallied all stakeholders, including workers, employers, government agencies and partners, for a collective effort to harness the spirit of ‘bayanihan’ to meet the emerging needs of the local, national, regional and international labor markets.
“We have exciting times that lie ahead. We look forward to new jobs, new sectors and new opportunities are waiting for us and for the Philippines. So let us lay the groundwork that will ensure that the next decade will be a decade of meaningful employment and economic growth,” he urged.
The President also encouraged workers to continuously hone their skills and competencies to be prepared for the upcoming employment opportunities. He assured them of the Administration’s commitment to ensuring job sustainability, upskilling and reskilling to maintain the productivity and competitive edge of the Philippine labor force.
“With our unity and cooperation, I am certain that we will not only survive but thrive in an evolving job market, ensuring that no Filipino is left behind as we move forward. So let us embrace this unified vision! Let us fully heed the call of the Trabaho Para sa Bayan Plan!” he concluded in his message.
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