Pres. Marcos Jr.'s P4B livelihood programs benefit almost 1 million Filipinos

April 30, 2024

The administration of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has allocated a whopping P4 billion to livelihood programs and job payouts, positively impacting the lives of nearly one million Filipinos.

This was disclosed by Undersecretary Benjo Santos Benavidez of DOLE's Workers’ Welfare and Protection Cluster, during a virtual press conference hosted by the Integrated Communications Operations Center (ICOC) of the National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (NTF-ELCAC), as the nation celebrates the 50th anniversary of the 1974 Labor Code on May 1, 2024.

DOLE which is headed by Sec. Bienvenido Laguesma, is also one of the Cabinet Officer for Regional Development and Security (CORDS), a top-level collaboration of cabinet secretaries that leads regional task forces of ELCAC in providing support and assistance to strengthen peace, unity and development endeavors in the Geographically-Isolated and Disadvantaged Areas (GIDAS).

In retrospect, this is the government's "whole-of-nation approach" and "whole-of government participation" in fostering good governance to counter violent extremism and to end local communist armed conflict.

"Of the approximately 700,000 beneficiaries of our programs, the majority are engaged in emergency employment like TUPAD. Others benefit from livelihood assistance, while our youth are employed through SPES and the Government Internship program," Benavidez said.

"When tallying the value of wages for our beneficiaries and the livelihood projects we provide to our fellow citizens, it amounts to 4 billion pesos," he added.

This substantial investment, part of the General Appropriations Act (GAA) budget of DOLE, underscores the government's commitment to community upliftment and essential support provision, emphasized Benavidez.

Moreover, the active participation of over 2,500 employers in job fairs, offering more than 213,000 local job vacancies, reflects a collaborative effort to bridge job market disparities.

In the international employment arena, Benavidez highlighted over 43,000 job opportunities, particularly in demand for Filipino nurses, service crews, and bartenders in countries like the US, UK, and Saudi Arabia, showcasing Filipino talent on a global scale.

As Labor Day approaches, preparations are underway for extensive job fairs across the National Capital Region, providing a vital platform for job seekers to engage with potential employers.

The upcoming Labor Day festivities promise a transformative experience, featuring nationwide job fairs, TESDA skills demonstrations, and enrollment desks to facilitate skills training and job placements.

Additionally, the President's KADIWA initiative, alongside the TUPAD program payouts, aims to support disadvantaged workers with emergency employment opportunities. Beneficiaries of the SPES and Government Internship Program will also receive payouts, with a focus on awarding livelihood projects to assist workers impacted by challenges like El Nino and public utility vehicle modernization.

A significant highlight of the upcoming celebrations will be a special event at Malacañang, honoring outstanding workers for their dedication and innovation, and recognizing their contributions to workplace productivity.

Furthermore, plans to establish a Worker's Rehabilitation Center Complex signify a visionary step towards providing essential rehabilitation services to workers affected by work-related injuries and accidents, facilitating their return as productive members of society.

Benavidez emphasized the government's commitment to empowering workers and fostering growth through these transformative initiatives, showcasing President Marcos Jr.'s visionary economic development strategies.

NTF-ELCAC MEDIA BUREAU

Ref: Joel M. Sy Egco

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