The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) on Wednesday underscored the Marcos administration’s whole-of-government approach to job creation and worker protection, recognizing inter-agency “convergence” as a defining strategy in addressing employment challenges.
During the Post-State of the Nation Address (SONA) Discussions on education and workers’ welfare, DOLE Secretary Bienvenido Laguesma spoke of government efforts to comply with President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s directive to intensify employment generation, particularly for the remaining 4 percent of the labor force who are still unemployed.
“Ang pagtukoy at pagbanggit ng ating Pangulo doon sa mga specific na departamento at mga ahensiya kaugnay sa usapin ng hanapbuhay at sa larangan ng paggawa ay sumasalamin doon sa isang mahalagang, ika nga’y masasabi natin na hallmark o characteristic ng pangkasalukuyang administrasyon,” Laguesma said.
“Ang aking tinutukoy ay iyong katagang ‘convergence’—pagsasama-sama, pagtatagpo, pagkakaisa at pagsasanib ng puwersa ng mga departamento, dahil halos lahat naman ng mga departamento ay may kaugnayan sa usapin ng paggawa at panghanapbuhay,” Laguesma added.
Laguesma acknowledged several collaborative programs as examples of this strategy in motion, including the “Trabaho sa Bagong Pilipinas” initiative for graduating 4Ps beneficiaries, the strengthening of job facilitation efforts through monthly nationwide job fairs, and the enhancement of the online labor market platform PhilJobNet to serve tech-savvy job seekers better.
The labor chief also highlighted the importance of synergy with local government units, the private sector, and business organizations to sustain and expand employment opportunities.
Youth employability and access to quality, long-term jobs remain at the core of DOLE’s agenda, Laguesma said.
The education and workers’ welfare development discussion is part of a series of post-SONA discussions that highlight the government’s efforts to promote transparency and deepen public engagement on the Marcos administration’s key policy priorities. | PND
