The Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI) and the Philippine Export Confederation of the Philippines (PhilExport) are driving a new advocacy to create another 1 million jobs under the Job Opportunities Building Skills (JOBS) program, a sequel to Project Jobs launched in 2022.
The private sector-led project is a collaboration among the PCCI, Philippine Exporters Confederation (PhilExport), Employers Confederation of the Philippines (ECOP), Semiconductor and Electronics Industry of the Philippines Inc. (SEPI), Hotel and Restaurant Association of the Philippines (HRAP), Philippine Constructors Association Inc. (PCA) and Philippine Hotel Owners Association, Inc. (PHOA).
The previous program took almost two years to deliver the 1 million jobs, but JOBS intends to scale up the program, not only to provide employment to 1 million Filipinos but entrench an upskilling program for every worker.
“The difference here now is the upskilling factor. It has leveled up. It does no only provide jobs but provide more meaningful jobs as workers are given a chance to improve their skills set,” said PCCI chairman emeritus and PhilExport chairman Sergio Ortiz Luis.
Advocacy participants will sign a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with relevant government agencies like the Department of Trade and Industry, Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), Department of Education (DepEd), Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG), Department of Tourism (DOT), Commission of Higher Education (CHED) and the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) to highlight their specific roles in the program.
PCCI said the program would be formally launched by May 1 or the Labor Day in the Philippines.
The group said the program would be a continuing advocacy regardless of any administration. It will go over and above politics, as a venue for generating jobs for Filipinos.