The “Build Build Build” team composed of various government agencies will gather around 70 contractors involved in the government’s infrastructure program and companies within the Subic Bay Freeport Zone for a Jobs Caravan on Saturday, February 9.
To be held at the SBMA Gym in the Subic Bay Freeport, the Build Build Build = Jobs Jobs Jobs Caravan was initiated to provide employment to the displaced workers of Hanjin Heavy Industries and Construction (HHIC) Philippines.
“Subic is happy to be part of this project to bring greater positive social impact to our people. We are committed to find every opportunity for the SBMA to make more jobs available and catalyse greater growth in Central Luzon and the rest of the country,” said Wilma Eisma, chairperson and administrator of the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA).
Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello III assured that there will be no job-skill mismatch after DOLE conducted a profiling activity on 2,779 Hanjin workers.
“Around 65 percent or 1,801 of the 2,779 profiled Hanjin workers are skilled in carpentry, 24 percent or 661 on the other hand have skills in vulcanizing and welding, hence there will be no problem with job-skill mismatch if they work in the construction industry,” Bello said.
The Jobs Caravan is spearheaded by the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), Department of Transportation (DOTr), Department of Finance (DOF), Department of Budget and Management (DBM), National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA), Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), BCDA, SBMA, and the Clark Development Corporation.
“This is an opportunity for us to aid those who lost or will lose their jobs in Hanjin, and at the same time complement the manpower requirement of the BBB program of the government,” said DPWH Secretary Mark Villar, noting the need for additional labor force to match the yearly additional budget in infrastructure projects.
According to DOTr Secretary Arthur Tugade, at least a thousand jobs will be available at the Caravan which include vacancies for construction workers, welders, carpenters, engineers, and administrative staff.
Jobseekers may pre-register for the Job Caravan at the SBMA Gym. Pre-registration will be open on January 30 to 31, February 4, and February 6 to 7 from 8:30 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. (Ric Sapnu)