More than three million jobs will be generated by the government’s infrastructure programs, highlighting the contribution of several projects in addressing unemployment and underemployment.

In a Palace briefing on Tuesday, Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Secretary Manuel Bonoan said about PHP800 billion worth of big and small public infrastructure projects, or about 70,000 projects, have been allocated funding for this year alone.

He said the projects will require over three million skilled, unskilled, and technical personnel on an annual basis.

The government intends to increase infrastructure investment from around 5 percent to 6 percent of the annual output to around 8 percent by the end of the Marcos administration in June 2028.

He said the government will be relying on the private sector for assistance on, among others, contractors and suppliers.

“But iyong skilled and unskilled labor, of course, this is in tandem with the Department of Labor on skills training at saka iyong sa TESDA [Technical Education and Skills Development Authority]… So, this is going to be a collaborative effort between our Department of Public Works and Highways and, of course, Department of Labor, and TESDA (But in terms of the the skilled and unskilled labor, of course, this is in tandem with the Department of Labor on skills training and with TESDA.),” he said.

Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) Secretary Bienvenido Laguesma said during the same briefing that the goal to increase jobs is part of the Labor and Employment Plan 2023-28 in line with the 8-Point Socio-Economic Agenda.

He said DOLE also has its National Technical Education Skills Development Plan for 2023-28, which is being outlined with TESDA.

“Kasi mahalaga na makita na ang trabahong ginagawa ng ating mga kababayan, ng mga manggagawa ay dekalidad, pangmatagalan at hindi lamang temporary, at mahalaga na isa-alang-alang iyong talagang pangangailangan ng mga sektor o industriya na mangangailangan po ng mga manggagawa sa mga darating na susunod na panahon (It’s important to see that the work of our countrymen, our workers are of high quality, for long-term and not temporary, and meets the requirements of the sector or industry needing labor in the future),” he said.

In terms of workers’ pay, he is optimistic that with the demand for more skilled workers because of the infrastructure programs not only of the government but also the private sector, the increase in workers’ salary “will come naturally” given the rising demand for labor.

Laguesma added there are tripartite mechanisms that will assess workers’ pay and benefits. (PNA)