The Filipino layman wonders why most compatriots do not feel the ‘much- improved’ economic situation in the country. Over the past several months, media has publicized the resuscitation and recovery of the once upon a time ‘sick man of Asia’. Today, we are told that investment confidence is at an all- time high and the public can be assured of a better quality of life as jobs are expected to abound to employ the Pinoy as soon as these investors start their operations in the country.
Ayan again, promise na naman ng promise, asa na naman ng asa ang ating mga kababayan. Ako and many like me din hope that the picture of hopelessness being painted in media may change into one where hope becomes reality.
Just a few days ago, media reported the result of a recent survey conducted by the government’s own National Statistics Office re: the employment picture in the country.
We are, daw, experiencing joblessness that has increased to a three- year high. This finding was the result of an NSO- conducted survey in the month of April this year. The reported Labor Force Survey pegged unemployment for this period at 7.5 percent. In that month last year, unemployment was at 6.9 percent. The latest finding was the highest recorded since the 8 percent joblessness- increase record in the year 2010.
In simpler terms, the NSO survey says the number of employed in this country went down from last year’s 37, 840 million to today’s 37, 819 million. The jobless meantime went up from last year’s 2.8 million to today’s 3.086 million. Agricultural job workers went down to 11,844 million this year from last year’s 12, 468 million, a decrease of 624,000.
The deep concern from most therefore is evident- Government says the country has experienced a 7.8 expansion in the first three months of this year. It has edged out China daw in earning the reputation as Asia’s fastest- growing economy.
Bakit nga ba unemployment ang resulta?
Sugod naman to rationalize the situation ang mga opisyal ng pamahalaan. Resulta daw ng ‘scorching summer heat’ ang decline of available jobs in the agricultural sector. It seems that farmers delayed their planting activities in April, the period when the research was conducted, so that this inactivity was promptly reported. Undersecretary Danilo Cruz of the Labor department meantime says that the increase in the reported joblessness is traditionally high in the month of April because of the high number of young people most of who are new graduates, seeking for first- time jobs. Of all the rationalizations given however, I find the comment of Labor Secretary Rosalina Baldoz more believable and full of hope- she says the nation will be glad to know that the quality of employment naman increased despite the report of declined employment rate. Sec. Baldoz says it was encouraging to know that full- time employment grew by 15.3 percent (3.194 million) and part time employment decreased by 18.9 percent or 3.063 million. Baldoz says that the labor program of government remains on tract citing that the Millenium Development Goal indicator on employment to reduce poverty and reach total employment is narrowing, wage and salary and fulltime- time employment is widening and mean hours of work is increasing. She also mentioned the public- private sectors partnership generating an increase of 667,000 from last year’s.
With the publication of the survey results, government announced a job- generation plan to be implemented in the next three years to help ease out the problem. This is in reaction to the clamor to experience tangible results of the much- publicized boom being experienced in the economy.
It seems that government will priorize its job- generation plans and make sure that these are felt by the public.
Because tunay nga, the time is now for all of us to partake of the advantages of a risen economy.
Kahit konti lang daw, maramdaman naman.
Then and only then can everyone be witness to a quality of life getting better for the Pinoy.
Best publicity for the success national leadership in this area ever!
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DEEPEST CONDOLENCES to the family of my dear departed friend Gloria Gilda Custodio, also an esteemed colleague from way back our years as news reporters at the National Media Production Center, Channel 4, up to the time when we did documentaries and videos for the Department of Health, the Philippine Rural Reconstruction Movement, and many others. She was also a longtime consultant at the Department of Health for information and dissemination concerns. She was the wife of veteran newsman Joven Custodio.
My personal thanks also to all those who condoled with us in our hour of bereavement on the passing away of my brother Architect Hector last May 31.
THANK YOU, TORONTO!