Jobs given to former shipyard workers

February 9, 2019

Almost 30,000 jobs were offered to former workers in the Hanjin Heavy Industries and Construction Philippines shipyard in Subic on Saturday at the second Build Build Build = Jobs Jobs Jobs Caravan at the Subic Bay Gymnasium, Subic Bay Freeport Zone.

The event was organized by the Build Build Build Team in partnership with the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA), and the Clark Development Corporation to aid the former shipyard workers.

The job fair held from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. gathered no less than 100 employers from different contractors involved in the government’s infrastructure program, and companies within the Subic Bay Freeport Zone (SBFZ), the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) said in a press statement Saturday.

Wilma Eisma, chairperson and administrator of the SBMA, emphasized the importance of collaboration between the public and private sector in keeping the citizens active in the workforce.

“With this job fair, displaced shipyard workers are ensured of reemployment,” said Eisma.

According to DPWH Secretary Mark Villar, the job fair was held outside Manila to reemploy former shipyard workers and complement the manpower requirement of the BBB program in Central Luzon.

“Jobseekers in the area, especially workers who have been affected by this unfortunate circumstance in a shipyard operator, are welcome to fill available positions such as carpenters, pipe fitter, steel man, welder, scaffolder, electrician, painters, and laborers,” said Villar.         

Transportation Secretary Arthur Tugade said the government’s plan to spend P8 to P9 trillion for public infrastructure from 2017 to 2022 is seen to create thousands more if not millions in job opportunities nationwide.

“With Build Build Build comes Jobs Jobs Jobs. This is the beauty of the BBB program. As we build transport infrastructure to benefit generations to come, we help those in the present by providing employment,” said Tugade.

Bases Conversion and Development Authority (BCDA) president and CEO Vivencio Dizon said the second Jobs Caravan is a testament to the government’s promise of creating more employment opportunities.

“We hope that the Jobs Caravan provides a fresh start to the displaced workers of a shipyard operator. These skilled workers will help ensure the success of the government’s infrastructure program,” said  Dizon.

Budget and Management Secretary Ben Diokno reiterated the importance of the infrastructure projects in creating a conducive environment for inclusive growth and social mobility within the country.

“Accelerating infrastructure development is our commitment to ensure that the Philippines will continue growing sustainably. With this in mind, the Jobs Jobs Jobs Caravan complements Build Build Build to connect thousands of jobs to Filipinos who need them,” said Diokno.

Pernia explained that the government’s infrastructure spending is expected to boost the economy by stimulating production across various industries, contributing as much as P 1.4 trillion gross value added, or about 5.3 percent, to the country’s GDP by 2022.

“This job fair at Subic is in keeping with the Duterte administration’s goal of creating jobs by way of the President’s signature initiative ‘Build, Build, Build,’ which is designed to close the country’s infrastructure gap and attract more investments that, in turn, will further energize the economy and generate even more job opportunities for our people,” said Finance Secretary Carlos Dominguez III. DMS