The government is targeting to create 140,000 to 220,000 job opportunities next year amid plans to revitalize the economy weakened by the coronavirus pandemic.

According to Cabinet Secretary Karlo Nograles, the government aims to stimulate the economy and generate jobs with the help of the 2021 national budget and the massive infrastructure program. The economic stimulus plan will still be coupled with sustaining health protocols to curb the spread of the coronavirus, he added.

"The 2021 national budget, which the President will sign before the year ends, will play a key role in this effort, as the infrastructure development programs it will fund could generate much-needed jobs for Filipinos who remain unemployed," he said.

"The proposed 2021 national budget for 2021 also includes programs that seek to regain losses in the country’s employment sector. The target is to generate some 140,000 to 220,000 jobs next year and provide support for the business sector, with a focus on small and medium enterprises hit hard by the pandemic," he said.

The proposed budget for next year is expected to be signed into law by President Duterte in a ceremony in Malacañang  Monday afternoon. The budget proposal includes allocations to enhance the government's pandemic response and economic recovery efforts.

Apart from next year's budget measure, Nograles noted that the implementation of the “Build, Build, Build” program is also expected to revive economic growth and job generation.

The government has already identified 104 priority infrastructure projects, higher than 75 projects previously announced. Among the projects are Metro Manila subway project, the upgrading of the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA), the Cebu monorail system, and the Mindanao Railway project. 

"With the economy on the rebound, more of our countrymen will be able to resume their livelihoods, especially in the tourism and services sectors. This, in our view, will help reduce hunger in the country," he said.

The government has started to relax lockdown restrictions across the country in an effort to jumpstart the economy. The country earlier fell into recession after the lockdown disrupted economic activity and caused unemployment.

Nograles said it was important to safely reopen the economy so people could return to work, enhance consumer confidence, and consequently boost economic activity. He said the government's planned rollout of the coronavirus vaccines next would help revitalize growth as more people resume working.