In anticipation of a high demand for construction workers once the Pambansang Pabahay Para sa Pilipino Program goes full blast this year, the Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development (DHSUD) is coordinating with the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) to boost the skills of workers in the housing industry.
Housing Secretary Jose Rizalino Acuzar said he expects a sudden increase in demand for laborers as President Ferdinand Marcos Jr’s. Pambansang Pabahay intensifies in the coming months.
“One of the things that I see it coming is the problem of workers’ shortage. We have a problem with availability of skilled workers,” he said.
DHSUD has initiated talks with TESDA director general Danilo Cruz as early as October 2022 as a proactive measure to empower construction workers in preparation for the workforce requirement of housing project development.
“We are coordinating with TESDA for the training of skilled workers – carpenters, plumbers, electricians and those to be need for the finishing touches of masons,” Acuzar said. “Other than that, we can manage,” he added.
TESDA has expressed support to augment the housing and construction industries’ present workforce.
“Right now, we are looking at all angles and aspects to prepare for the beginning of actual implementation of the Pambansang Pabahay on the ground. We are fast-tracking construction so that we can adjust with the projected increase in cost. We need enough workers to ensure that we build and provide the houses on time for our kababayans,” the housing chief said.
The DHSUD earlier said about 1.7 million jobs, including construction workers, would be generated yearly once the 4Ps Pabahay started.
The significant number of jobs is seen to contribute in the administration’s post-pandemic recovery efforts and in furtherance of the eight-point economic agenda of the Marcos Jr. administration, Acuzar said.