Senator Jose “Jinggoy” Estrada on Tuesday, July 19 expressed concern that the government’s plan to rightsize the bureaucracy could eventually lead to job mismatch.

Estrada, who is likely to head the Senate Committee on Labor and Employment in the 19th Congress, said he is concerned over the plan as “many people will be affected.”

“I really have concerns. Where will they (displaced employees) go?” Estrada said during an interview.

In the event it pushes through, he said some government officials who may be transferred to another department may find themselves handling tasks that they are not skilled with or is not their expertise.

Estrada also pointed out he centered his campaign promise during the May 2022 elections to providing jobs for people.

Yet the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) said that around two million people stand to be affected should the government pursue rightsizing.

“Saan mapupunta ‘yugng dalawang milyong Pilipinong maapektuhan? Sabi nga ng tatay ko (Where will the two millioin Filipinos who will be affected go? As my father has said) ‘a hungry stomach knows no law,” Estrada said.

“Kapag wala nang makain yan, magiging kriminal na ‘yang mga ‘yan (If they go hungry, they have a tendency to turn to crimes),” he stressed.

Estrada pointed out the redundancy in government positions may be due to political accommodation.

“I’m not blaming anyone. But as far as I am concerned...most of it are due to political accommodation,” he noted.

Estrada said he expects President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr.’s first State of the Nation Address (SONA) to contain his priority measures which can guide legislators to what should be considered with urgency.

“I look forward to hearing our President’s vision of the future, his plans for the country post-Covid and how to fuel the full recovery of the national economy after the onslaught of the pandemic,” he said.

“I am hopeful that focus can also be given to pressing labor concerns, specifically on job generation and provision of assistance to our work force, especially to the unemployed,” he stressed.

“Lastly, I am interested in hearing how the President intends to heal the country and inspire unity among Filipinos after a heated election campaign,” he further said.