President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. has approved the labor and employment plan (LEP) aimed at addressing unemployment and underemployment in the country.

This was disclosed by Labor Secretary Bienvenido Laguesma on Tuesday, Aug. 15, following a sectoral meeting with the President in Malacañang.
"Yes," he said when asked whether or not Marcos had approved the LEP which was also presented to the Chief Executive last week.
Laguesma said they are looking to implement the labor plan by September.
"We are actually targeting by...kasi sumasabay siya sa budget process, e (because it happened at the same time as the budget process). But we are targeting a national tripartite conference with employment summit. So sometime September siguro (perhaps)," the Labor chief told Malacañang reporters.
According to Laguesma, the LEP has three priorities: maximizing productive, remunerative, freely chosen, quality and sustainable job opportunities; ensuring respect for all rights at work, international commitments and human rights; and, building an inclusive social protection for all.
It is also in line with the 8-Point Socio-Economic Agenda of Marcos and the Philippine Development Plan 2023-2028 aimed at reducing unemployment and addressing underemployment with better jobs.
He added that through the LEP, thousands of jobs will be generated in the infrastructure sector for the Build Better More Project of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH).
Meanwhile, the Labor Secretary said they are looking to complete their catch up plan on the utilization of their funds by the end of the year.
"Our catchup plan is geared towards being able to utilize all the available funds but always conditioned sa mga (to the) proper beneficiaries and in compliance with documentary requirements so that we can avoid yung mga may dokumento na hinahanap ng COA na wala. Ang pinakaimportante ay tama yung beneficiary at nangangailangan na mga tao (so that we can avoid not having documents that the Commission on Audit requires. The most important thing is we ensure that we bring them to the proper beneficiaries)," Laguesma said.