DOLE Spearheads the United Nations Global Accelerator on Jobs and Social Protection for Just Transitions Initiative

The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) is actively taking its steps on exploring the country’s potential to be a Pathfinder country under the Global Accelerator on Jobs and Social Protection for Just Transitions initiative of the United Nations

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According to the International Labor Organization (ILO) estimates derived from the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) Labor Force Survey, the construction and transportation sectors exhibit the highest year-on-year employment growth among all industries. With these developments, the Department identified the two aforementioned sectors as the entry points on which to anchor the programs under the Global Accelerator.

On 18 January 2024, the Department conducted a meeting with the Philippine Constructors Association (PCA) Inc., headed by PCA President Ronaldo R. Elepaño, Jr., to discuss the DOLE and PCA’S priorities and commitment. Similarly, on 31 January 2024, a comprehensive meeting was held with the Department of Transportation (DOTr) Secretary Jaime Bautista. During the said sessions, the DOLE was represented by DOLE Secretary Bienvenido E. Laguesma and Undersecretary Carmela I. Torres, alongside Assistant Secretary Paul Vincent W. Añover, Bureau of Local Employment (BLE) Director IV Patrick P. Patriwirawan, Jr.

The meetings were intended to discuss the Global Accelerator (GA) Initiative and how crucial the Construction and Transportation Sectors are in the GA country engagement process, considering the National and Sectoral Priorities: The Philippine Development Plan 2023-2028; Philippine Labor and Employment Plan 2023-2028; and Philippine Construction Industry Roadmap 2020-2030.

Going forward, the Transportation sector shall focus on ensuring safety and security along with the improvement of transport facilities and transport networks. Simultaneously, the Construction Sector shall aim to upskill and reskill the assessors and the workforce to bridge the gaps between the current and future needs of the construction industry and what the academe produces.

The roles and commitment of the government and its partners are pivotal as it must foster an enabling environment for social and economic transformation and to reinvigorate services to improve the quality of life of the Filipino people.