MANILA – More high-paying jobs will lift Filipinos out of poverty, said Sen. Juan Edgardo Angara.
Angara cited a World Bank report stating that 22 million Filipinos still live below the national poverty line.
The same report said poverty remains high in the Philippines despite its economic growth.
“Making the country’s economic growth inclusive – which means ensuring that it improves the lives of poor Filipinos – has been quite a challenge,” Angara said. “The country’s economic gains must lead to the creation of more high-paying jobs.”
While he lauded the government’s effort in providing jobs for Filipinos, the Senate labor committee vice chairman lamented the deteriorating quality of jobs.
“Trabaho pa rin talaga ang susi laban sa kahirapan. Kapag may sapat na kita, permanente at disenteng trabaho, siguradong aangat ang buhay ng bawat pamilyang Pilipino,” Angara said.
He urged the Public Employment Service Office (PESO) to help address jobs-skills mismatch and ensure well-paying and stable jobs for Filipinos.
“PESO serves as a venue for Filipinos to explore employment opportunities, and we made sure under the law that every province, city and municipality in the country has its own PESO,” the senator said. “Ito ay para masiguro na bawat Pilipino ay mabibigyan ng oportunidad na makahanap ng trabaho na tutulong sa kaniyang pamilya na umahon sa kahirapan.”/PN
