TESDAMAN. Sen. Joel Villanueva during a brief interview with the media at Kingsborough Convention Center, CSFP on February 21. Photo by Joann Manabat
CITY OF SAN FERNANDO – Senator Joel Villanueva spoke about the institutionalization of job opportunities and employment security as a continuity of his projects and programs for the country during a brief interview with the media on Monday, February 21.
Villanueva, who is seeking a Senate comeback in the 2022 elections, visited the province for Vice Governor Lilia Pineda’s birthday celebration held at the Kingsborough Convention Center.
According to Villanueva, he will pursue his advocacy on employment through National Employment Recovery Strategy (NERS). Their goal, he said, is to produce 2 million job opportunities and employment recovery, prioritizing those who lost their job due to the pandemic.
Based on Philippine Statistics Authority data as of December 2021, the country’s unemployment rate slightly increased at 6.6 percent or 3.27 million unemployed Filipinos compared to 6.5 percent rate or 3.16 million as reported in November last year. The underemployment, however, was estimated at 14.7 percent which was pointed out as the fifth lowest underemployment rate in 2021.
“14.7 percent yung underemployment which means malaki din yung chunk na naghahanap ng mas malaking kita o dagdag trabaho para masustain ang kanilang pangangailangan. Kaya itong second term, ang lagi nating sinasabi we want to make sure na hindi mawawalan ng panahon na walang oportunidad para magkatrabaho, magka negosyo, magka access sa training,” Villanueva said.
The former chief of TESDA (Technical Education and Skills Development Authority) added that the budget for the Tulong Panghanapbuhay sa Ating Disadvantaged/Displaced Workers (TUPAD) program increased from P6 billion to P19 billion in 2021 and P26.5 billion this year to provide emergency employment for displaced and underemployed, and seasonal workers. He also noted that unemployment insurance is also being considered.
“This time around gusto natin ipaglaban na mainsitutionalize ito (TUPAD), maging batas para derecho ang pagtulong ng ating pamahalaan sa mga nawalan at naapektuhan ng trabaho because of the pandemic, sakuna, bagyo, etc,” said Villanueva.
“Ngayon kasi pag nawalan ka ng trabaho, ang SSS, kung regular ka, two months lang at kulang yan. And worst if you are a contractual worker, zero ang insurance,” he added. “Yung pagbibigay ng social pension fund for our senior citizens, nasa plenaryo na yan eh. I’m not sure if we’re able to pass it in the next two weeks, but in case, ifa-file ko ulit yon but that’s doubling from P500 to P1000.”
With a total of 103 laws passed including the Work-From-Home law, Doktor Para sa Bayan law, Tulong Trabaho law, and First Time Jobseekers Law among others, Villanueva said these landmark legislations will reach 200 by the end of his term.
Villanueva also thanked Pineda for her support in recognizing his ongoing projects, programs, as well as advocacies and said he is grateful for their positive reception.
Also present at the event to celebrate Pineda’s birthday were Uniteam presidential candidate Bongbong Marcos and running mate Davao City Mayor Inday Sara Duterte together with their senatorial slate Larry Gadon, Gilbert Teodoro, Jinggoy Estrada, Mark Villar, Dante Marcoleta, as well as Senator Migz Zubiri, JV Ejercito, and former president Gloria Macapagal Arroyo together with some of the local officials in the province.
