More than 800 workers in the economic zone of Sta. Rosa, Laguna have been inoculated against coronavirus disease (COVID-19) in a bid to push for the country's employment recovery amid the pandemic.

Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) Secretary Silvestre Bello III led the vaccination of construction and factory workers on Thursday, Nov. 18, as part of efforts to help attain the "One Million Jobs for 2021" program of the private sector.
The project, which aims to inoculate one million workers from the construction and manufacturing industries, is a collaboration between DOLE, the Employers Confederation of the Philippines (ECOP), and other stakeholders from the government and private sectors.
A total of 823 construction and factory workers from the Makati Development Corporation (MDC), other companies, and local government units received Astrazeneca vaccines during the program held in the Nuvali site of the MDC Conqrete Inc.
Bello said the two industries were chosen for the program as they are among the country's top contributors to economic growth.
"By helping them get the vaccines, our thrust for economic recovery could remain on track," Bello said.
The labor chief is optimistic on the continuous rehabilitation of the country's economy following the easing of restrictions and reopening of the labor market.
"With the lifting of harsh quarantine measures and the strategic implementation of the vaccination program, I'm confident that our country is healing fast," Bello added.
He also called on all workers to get vaccinated as it is safe and helpful for the economy.
"Let's all support the inoculation program of the government because it's the surest way to fight the pandemic," Bello added.