The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) recently reported that lay-offs in Central Luzon already reached 10,000 and still getting higher. All over the region, several companies have already announced that they will close shop by mid 2009. Worse, the economic zones and industrial areas like Luisita Industrial Park , Clark Freeport Zone and Subic Bay Freeport Zone were all affected by the ongoing economic recession.
But as they say, it is during the hard times that we survive as a nation. The current economic slump should not also slow us down but rather we must challenge ourselves to do something to help boost the economy. We have to have faith in each other and continue doing what we have been doing ever since. Eat, work, go to school, buy things we need, invest if we must. These will keep the economy going, the experts say.
Now some workers’ unions are suggesting that the national government should shell out at least P2 billion as stimulus fund for retrenched workers. This fund will keep them up within six months, they said. This is actually a good idea if only to save the country from further economic gloom. If this will be heard, the workers will at least be assured to cover their basic needs for months while they are looking for new jobs. The only problem is there is no assurance that the retrenchments will stop after the first quarter. This scenario can go on and on. But I won’t hope for that.
Meanwhile, it is a breather for us to learn of President Arroyo’s Comprehensive Livelihood and Employment Emergency (CLEEP) program. Several national government agencies are busy nowadays designing ways how to help retrenched workers recover from the crisis.
The department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) for one has conducted a jobs fair last March 9. All the 14 engineering districts in Region 3 held simultaneous jobs fairs.
In a talk with the press, Director Alfredo Tolentino of the DPWH Region 3 said that these jobs fairs are part of the President’s emergency measure program designed to lessen the impact of the current crisis that hit the country.
For the engineering districts in Pampanga alone, 25 contractors joined the job fair last week with a promise to employ about 1,000 applicants. The construction companies are hiring machine operators, drivers, carpenters, plumbers, electricians, masons, laborers, foremen, engineers, surveyors and clerks.
According to Tolentino, the DPWH regional office’s P5.8 billion projects will open more job opportunities this year. The infrastructure projects are spread all over the seven provinces including the rehabilitation of the Mac Arthur Highway in Bulacan, Pampanga and Tarlac.
The P1 billion rehabilitation fund for Bacolor is however not included in the DPWH budget. Tolentino said it is a separate fund from the Office of the President. It was reported earlier that the Bacolor funds will also be infused to infrastructure projects in the said town this year. And this means new jobs for the local folk.
At least, the Arroyo government is doing something to at least lessen the effect of the crisis in the country. It is a relief in times of apprehension and uncertainties.
But as they say, it is during the hard times that we survive as a nation. The current economic slump should not also slow us down but rather we must challenge ourselves to do something to help boost the economy. We have to have faith in each other and continue doing what we have been doing ever since. Eat, work, go to school, buy things we need, invest if we must. These will keep the economy going, the experts say.
Now some workers’ unions are suggesting that the national government should shell out at least P2 billion as stimulus fund for retrenched workers. This fund will keep them up within six months, they said. This is actually a good idea if only to save the country from further economic gloom. If this will be heard, the workers will at least be assured to cover their basic needs for months while they are looking for new jobs. The only problem is there is no assurance that the retrenchments will stop after the first quarter. This scenario can go on and on. But I won’t hope for that.
Meanwhile, it is a breather for us to learn of President Arroyo’s Comprehensive Livelihood and Employment Emergency (CLEEP) program. Several national government agencies are busy nowadays designing ways how to help retrenched workers recover from the crisis.
The department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) for one has conducted a jobs fair last March 9. All the 14 engineering districts in Region 3 held simultaneous jobs fairs.
In a talk with the press, Director Alfredo Tolentino of the DPWH Region 3 said that these jobs fairs are part of the President’s emergency measure program designed to lessen the impact of the current crisis that hit the country.
For the engineering districts in Pampanga alone, 25 contractors joined the job fair last week with a promise to employ about 1,000 applicants. The construction companies are hiring machine operators, drivers, carpenters, plumbers, electricians, masons, laborers, foremen, engineers, surveyors and clerks.
According to Tolentino, the DPWH regional office’s P5.8 billion projects will open more job opportunities this year. The infrastructure projects are spread all over the seven provinces including the rehabilitation of the Mac Arthur Highway in Bulacan, Pampanga and Tarlac.
The P1 billion rehabilitation fund for Bacolor is however not included in the DPWH budget. Tolentino said it is a separate fund from the Office of the President. It was reported earlier that the Bacolor funds will also be infused to infrastructure projects in the said town this year. And this means new jobs for the local folk.
At least, the Arroyo government is doing something to at least lessen the effect of the crisis in the country. It is a relief in times of apprehension and uncertainties.
