While the proposed P24-billion wage subsidy still under review, government will continue to pursue existing Retooling and Upskilling Programs of concerned agencies valued at P11.1 billion for 400,000 beneficiaries .
DTI Secretary Ramon Lopez’ presentation of the 8-Point Employment Recovery Agenda TGER-NERS Job Summit on May 1 addresses the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry’s (PCCI) call to retool and reskill workers and update the education curricula to match industry needs amid the fast-evolving work patterns and other disruptions such as digitalization in the job market.
Lopez said the retooling programs “will be utilized to address shifts in the labor market and ensure a future-ready Filipino workforce with the skills and qualifications to answer post-pandemic demands.”
“With the resumption of economic activities, the workforce needs to adapt to the changes in the business operations,” he said.
Lopez expressed hope the Proposed Wage Subsidy for Private Sector Workers will be implemented soon as this is intended to preserve and protect existing employment.
“That will depend on budget, which is now being studied and reviewed by the National Economic and Development Authority,” Lopez told reporters via text.
The proposed program shall provide subsidy equivalent to P8,000 month for a maximum of three months to affected workers with priority from micro, small and medium enterprises through the establishment’s payroll system.
This will support the recommendation of the business and labor sectors while helping to pump-prime the economy. – Irma Isip
