Senate Majority Leader Joel Villanueva on Sunday, May 7 said he is upbeat over President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr.’s efforts to find employment opportunities for Filipinos in his overseas trips.
This, after Malacañang announced during President Marcos’ trip to the United States that several US companies are set to hire at least 75,000 Filipino seafarers in the next three to four years.
“The President is indeed the best salesman of the country and we thank him for reaping investments and jobs for our people from his foreign trips,” Villanueva said in a statement.
“This is good news for our Filipino sailors. We are happy that they have a good destination in their voyage," the senator said.
Villanueva also expressed his support to Marcos’ attendance in the coronation of King Charles III as this would continue to put the Philippines in the investments and trade partnership radar with other nations.
“The government will continue to strengthen the economy and provide employment to the Filipinos. At the same time, it would still embark on missions to look out into the world for opportunities that could bring stability and prosperity into the people’s lives,” he noted.
At the same time, Villanueva praised the Chief Executive for his ability to generate US$1.5-billion worth of investment pledges and 6,700 jobs in the Philippines during his latest US state visit.
“This is a welcome development, especially in addressing unemployment in the country, which is at 4.8 percent equivalent to 2.47 million, as of February 2023,” he stressed.
In line with the President’s vision, Villanueva said he will pursue the passage of Senate Bill No. 2035 or the proposed “Trabaho Para sa Bayan” Act so the government can institutionalize more targeted policies to address all Filipinos’ employment struggles.
“As creating sustainable jobs for all Filipinos is our mission, we are more than ready to defend this bill on the Senate floor this week,” the senator said.