(Former Hanjin workers pre-register with the SBMA Labor Department for a jobs fair on February 8 at the Subic Bay Freeport Zone. Photo by Malou Dungog)
SUBIC BAY FREEPORT — The “Build Build Build” team composed of various government agencies will gather around 70 employers from different contractors involved in the government’s infrastructure program, and companies within the Subic Bay Freeport Zone for a jobs Caravan on February 9, Saturday.
To be held at the SBMA Gym in the Subic Bay Freeport, the Build Build Build = Jobs Jobs Jobs Caravan was initiated to provide employment to the displaced workers of Hanjin Heavy Industries and Construction (HHIC) Philippines.
Wilma Eisma, chairperson and administrator of the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA), said the Authority is committed to find jobs for the displaced Hanjin workers.
“Subic is happy to be part of this project to bring greater positive social impact to our people. We are committed to find every opportunity for the SBMA to make more jobs available and catalyse greater growth in Central Luzon and the rest of the country,” Eisma said.
Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello III assured that there will be no job-skill mismatch after DOLE conducted a profiling activity on 2,779 Hanjin workers.
“Around 65 percent or 1,801 of the 2,779 profiled Hanjin workers are skilled in carpentry, 24 percent or 661 on the other hand have skills in vulcanizing and welding, hence there will be no problem with job-skill mismatch if they work in the construction industry,” Bello said.
“We are bringing job opportunities closer to the people. The available jobs guarantee decent domestic employment for our highly skilled workers. They need not sacrifice being away to provide for their families because local productive work abounds,” Bello added.
Finance Secretary Carlos Dominguez III, for his part, urged jobseekers to explore employment opportunities in nearby Clark.
“We believe there are enough jobs available at Clark Ecozone alone for the displaced workers of Hanjin Philippines. According to the Bases Conversion and Development Authority, a lot of jobs for skilled workers are needed at Clark as it shifts to high gear its program to transform New Clark City into the country’s first smart and green metropolis,” Dominguez said.
The jobs caravan is spearheaded by the Department of Public Works and Highways, Department of Transportation, Department of Finance, Department of Budget and Management, National Economic and Development Authority, Department of Labor and Employment, Department of Trade and Industry, BCDA, SBMA, and the Clark Development Corp.
“This is an opportunity for us to aid those who lost or will lose their jobs in Hanjin, and at the same time complement the manpower requirement of the BBB program of the government,” said DPWH Secretary Mark Villar, noting the need for additional labor force to match the yearly additional budget in infrastructure projects.
“The Build, Build, Build program remains a priority of President Rodrigo Duterte’s government. This program, which is expected to generate thousands, even millions of jobs nationwide will be able to provide options for our displaced workers,” said Villar.
According to Transportation Secretary Arthur Tugade, at least a thousand jobs will be available at the caravan which include vacancies for construction workers, welders, carpenters, engineers, and administrative staff.
Trade Secretary Ramon Lopez noted that opportunities in the country are booming. “Tuloy po ang paghandog ng oportunidad, at paggaling ng abilidad, para lahat ay umunlad,” Lopez said.
Jobseekers may already pre-register for the job caravan at the SBMA Gym. Pre-registration will be open on January 30 to 31, February 4, and February 6 to 7 from 8:30 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
