Presidential aspirant Vice President Leni Robredo has presented her employment plan for the country if she wins the presidency in the 2022 elections.
In a press briefing Friday, Dec. 10, in Quezon City, Robredo detailed her five-point employment plan dubbed "Hanapbuhay para sa lahat."
Her employment agenda includes the goal to bring back the trust in government; boosting various industries in the country such as the maritime sector, agriculture, manufacturing, among others; ending discrimination at work; supporting small businesses; and creating a public employment program for displaced workers.
Robredo said her employment plan is a response to the lingering frustration of Filipino workers that despite working for so long now, they have been unable to attain a better life.
The availability of jobs is the answer to this, the Vice President said.
"Ang pangunahing instrumento: Trabaho. Kapag may trabaho, may pera sa bulsa ang Pilipino; ang perang ito, gagamitin para tugunan ang pangunahing pangangailangan at tumangkilik sa mga negosyo. Kung buhay ang mga negosyo, makakalikha ng mas marami pang trabaho (The prime instrument: Jobs. If there are jobs, Filipinos have money in their pockets; this money will then be used to provide for their basic needs and to patronize businesses. If businesses are alive, more jobs will be produced)," Robredo said.
"Iyan mismo ang layunin natin: Ang bumuo ng siklo ng pagbibigay-lakas, oportunidad, at malawakang pag-unlad. At ito ang plano ko para ipaglaban ang hanapbuhay para sa lahat (That is exactly our goal: To create a cycle of boosting, giving opportunities, and widespread success. And this is my plan to fight for a job for all)," she stressed.
The Vice President emphasized that part of the mission to bring back the people's trust in the government is the elimination of influence peddling and systematic corruption in every bureau.
She intends to reactivate the Competitiveness Council under the Department of Trade and Industry to create strategies for the Philippines to be globally competitive and to oversee dialogue between the government and the private sector.
Under her agenda to boost various industries, the presidential candidate wants to further develop the maritime industry, citing that almost one-fourth of seafarers in the world are Filipinos.
It is a "natural advantage" for the Philippines, she said, so it is imperative to produce more Filipino seafarers and boost the shipbuilding industry in the country.
Robredo will also push for a "climate industry" by focusing on sustainable and modern practices in agriculture, infrastructure, and public transport that in turn will also create more jobs. She reiterated her advocacy on creating a transition framework towards using "clean technology" in the energy sector to produce "green jobs."
While there is already an existing Anti-Age Discrimination Act, a Robredo presidency will enforce it and will push for an even more comprehensive coverage and protection.
Under her presidency, Robredo will also advocate for the prioritization of small local businesses and farmers in procurement processes and will give them a direct link to the market.
Finally, she aims to create a Public Employment Program to give displaced workers job opportunities and help them through a retraining and skills matching program.
Workers who were retrenched may also get help from an Unemployment Insurance Program, she added.
The Vice President stressed that a Filipino worker who only wants to work for his aspiration should be able to do so and this can happen if the government is as supportive.
"Ang pag-unlad ng Pilipinas, nagsisimula at magsisimula sa karaniwang Pilipino: Sa pagsuporta sa kanya sa panahon ng kagipitan; sa pagbibigay sa kanya ng lakas na panghawakan ang sariling kinabukasan; sa pagbubukas ng landas para makapagsikap na abutin niya ang kaniyang mga pangarap (The success of the Philippines starts from the ordinary Filipino: Through supporting him in tough times; giving him an assurance of her future; opening up opportunities for his dreams)," Robredo said.
"Buong-buo ang tiwala ko: Masipag ang Pilipino; mabilis matuto ang Pilipino; mahal ng Pilipino ang pamilya niya, at handa siyang kumayod araw-araw para sa kanila. Sa pagkayod na ito, ang gobyerno, dapat katuwang; dapat aktibong gumagawa ng paraan (I have full trust in Filipinos: Filipinos are hardworking; Filipinos are easy learners; Filipinos love their families and are ready to work every day for them. As they work every day, the government must their ally and actively making ways for them)," she stressed.