More than six million Filipinos have landed jobs while salaries and other benefits of workers have been increased since President Aquino took office in 2010.
These are just some of the achievements in improving the plight of the Filipino workforce highlighted by Malacañang during the commemoration of Labor Day yesterday.
“Nakikiisa ang buong pamahalaan natin, sa lahat ng manggagawang Pilipino sa buong mundo sa pagdiriwang na ito. Lubos na ikinararangal ng buong bansa ang ating mga manggagawa dahil sa araw-araw nilang pagkilos ng buong sipag, tiyaga, galing, at tapang para sa pamilya at para sa kapakanan ng sambayanan,” Presidential Communications Operations Secretary Herminio Coloma Jr. said over government radio.
“Sa nakalipas na anim na taon ng Aquino administration, mas higit pang pinalawig at pinalakas ang pagbibigay nang natatanging pagkilala, pagpapahalaga, at respeto sa mga manggagawang Pilipino para sa kanilang ambag sa lipunan,” Coloma said.
The President earlier saluted the Filipino workers in his final Labor Day message but did not attend any related activities on May 1.
On the President’s decision to skip any Labor Day event, Coloma explained that “focus has always been on purposive, concrete actions, and delivery of essential services.”
He noted that the Department of Labor and Employment has issued comprehensive report on major accomplishments. Besides, Coloma pointed out that Aquino had already attended a jobs fair event in Cebu last week.
Citing information from the DoLE, Coloma said around 6.65 million persons gained employment from 2011 to 2016, or higher than the 4.72 million recorded from 2005 to 2010.
He said the administration has helped many Filipinos find gainful employment by implementing a more efficient job search system and addressing the problem of jobs-skills mismatch.
More people who obtained skills training from Technical Education and Skills Development Authority and the Special Education of the Department of Education have also obtained jobs. The job placement rate of the Public Employment Service Office increased to 83 percent in various provinces, Coloma added.
Under the administration, Coloma also highlighted that the daily minimum wage has been raised to range between P228 to P493 across the country. This was higher than the range daily minimum wage between P142 to P414 during the previous administration.
“Ito ay dahil sa bukod sa pagtugon sa inflation rate, inilampas din ang minimum wage sa poverty threshold alinsunod sa recommended formula ng International Labor Organization o ILO,” he said.
Apart from higher wages, Coloma said workers have received higher tax-free benefits such as de minimis benefits ranging between P87,450 to P105,187.
He said there have been faster resolution of labor cases and lower number of labor strikes under the Aquino government.
Coloma said the government also strengthened efforts to advance and protect the welfare of vulnerable sectors such as the overseas Filipino workers.
Around 28,596 OFWs have been given livelihood assistance and start-up capital for small businesses, compared to just 1,517 assisted from 2005 to 2010.
Despite his labor-related achievements, Coloma said the administration will continue to implement programs so the Filipino workers will live in dignity and remain partners in equitable economic growth. (Genalyn D. Kabiling)
