Unemployment in province down by 2.4%
LINGAYEN–Is there a recession?
Perhaps so but the picture at the provincial employment services tells a different story. Unemployment rate in Pangasinan went down by at least 2.4 percent during the last quarter of 2008.
Alex Ferrer, Provincial Employment Services Officer (PESO), said the improved employment rate of 9.3 percent from 6.9 percent in April 2007, before the new provincial administration took over, can be credited to the “excellent management” of Gov. Amado Espino Jr. with support from the private sector.
In his report before the Sangguniang Panlalawigan last February 23, Ferrer pointed out that the provincial government is doing its share in absorbing job applicants, mostly skilled workers and laborers for the numerous ongoing infrastructure projects.
Meanwhile, Benjamin Flores, of the Department of Labor and Employment in Dagupan City, said Pangasinan, unlike other provinces in Regions 3 and 4, is not experiencing a “serious effect of the global economic crisis”.
Pangasinan currently has a population 2.8 million people, with a labor force of 1.8 million.
OFWS
The government predicts, however, that Pangasinan which has one of the highest numbers of overseas Filipino workers, would be affected by the global financial crisis.
To cushion the impact, the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration said it has already implemented a direct lending program for displaced workers called the Filipino Expatriate Livelihood Support Fund, initially P100 Million for livelihood.
Marivic Mondina of OWWA said this intervention will help the displaced workers enhance their entrepreneurial capability for alternative livelihoods.
The province had 40,625 OFWs in 2007, according to a report by Nonnette Villanueva, head of the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA) regional center for Luzon.
The Technical Education Skills Development Authority (TESDA) is also implementing the Pangulong Gloria Scholarship Program.
At least 11 displaced OFWs have so far sought to avail of the TESDA program to set up their own businesses.
TESDA provincial director Ponciano Catipon said OFWs are being encouraged to take up specialized skills training, such as welding, carpentry, plumbing and culinary arts that is in demand in the tourism industry sector, including front desk and tour-guiding services.
The courses are offered in 139 schools in the province, both public and private, accredited by TESDA.—LM
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