Unemployment rate in Pangasinan, down to 7.7%
Unemployment rate in Pangasinan, down to 7.7%. Despite the pandemic, continuous programs and projects including job placement activities (Top photo, left), Basic Handyman Training (top photo, right), Tulong Pangkabuhayan sa OFW Project (Bottom photo, left), and Mobile Skills Training Project (Bottom Photo, right) are being implemented in the Provincial Government of Pangasinan, under the directives of Governor Amado I. Espino III, which resulted to the decrease of unemployment rate to 7.7% in the province, as of July 2021.
CAPITOL NEWS
THE unemployment rate in Pangasinan went down to 7.7% annual average in 2021 from the 2020 figure of 13.4%, or a significant drop of 5.7%, based on latest data of Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) Labor Force Survey as of July2021.
Bared by Pangasinan Employment Services Officer Alex Ferrer in an interview on January 24, the unemployment rate in Pangasinan is comparatively lower than the national unemployment rate of 8.1% of the same period.
It can be noted that Pangasinan reached an average of 5.3% unemployment rate in 2019, the lowest on record in 15 years, but increased in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic that affected the whole world.
The steadfast job facilitation program, trainings and other interventions of the Provincial Government under the stewardship of Governor Amado “Pogi” I. Espino III immensely contributed to the decrease in the unemployment rate in the province despite the pandemic.
The Mobile Skills Training Project (MSTP), launched in 2017 in response to the Build, Build, Build flagship program of the National Government, intensified the Provincial Government’s manpower development initiatives that help ensure the availability of skilled workers in and outside Pangasinan.
The MSTP has produced 3,098 graduates wherein 2,212 are self-employed while 886 are employed by various construction companies.
…Through the program, Pangasinenses are provided with skills training to further equip them for wage and self-employment.
Trainings has two categories: hard skills (electrical, carpentry, plumbing, masonry, tile setting) and soft skills (cookery, haircutting, beauty care).
At present, Pangasinan PESO conducts the Basic Handyman Training as part of the Modified MSTP, a component of the Abig Pangasinan Program, where online and onsite trainings are conducted on carpentry, masonry, plumbing, painting and electrical skills.
Tool kits are also provided in support to the MSTP graduates to further hone their skills.
“Hindi tayo tumitigil na magbigay ng skills training and even seminars and other ways para ma-enhance ang employability ng ating province mates,” Mr. Ferrer said.
Likewise, the Provincial Government has actively conducted job placement activities for Pangasinenses including the Job Fair on Wheels.
From July 2016to December 2021, the Pangasinan PESO recorded 12,432 local placement and 312overseas deployment of Pangasinense job applicants.
PESO Manager Ferrer bared that human resource management and manpower development remains one of the top priorities of Governor Espino.
“Bilang isa sa mga priorities ng ating mahal na gobernador, inilunsad niya ang Mobile SkillsTraining Project na nagsasagawa ng skills training sa iba’t-ibang bayan sa buong probinsya” said PESO Chief Ferrer.
Mr. Ferrer further noted that job opportunities in the construction industry abound not only inside Pangasinan but also outside the province, and even overseas which significantly contributed to the economy of the province.
“Ang ating job market ay hindi lang sa probinsya, kundi pati sa labas, kasama na dito ang overseas job market. Madami tayong deployment sa overseas at iyon ay isang malaking tulong sa ating ekonomiya,” said Mr. Ferrer.
Aside from the trainings and job placement activities, the Provincial Government through Pangasinan PESO launched the Tulong Pangkabuhayan sa OFW Project in November,2020, assisting displaced OFWs in Pangasinan to help them start their own small business or livelihood venture.
Now on its second wave, the Provincial Government has provided a total of P6.6 million financial assistance to more than 1,300 beneficiaries. The timely innovative programs in human capital investment of the Provincial Government have been recognized by different National Government Agencies.
In 2021, the National Kabalikat Award was awarded to Governor Espino by the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) for the contribution of the provincial government in the advancement of Technical Vocational and Education Training (TVET) in the country.
Pangasinan was also conferred a Special Citation by the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) through the Secretary’s 2021 Bayanihan Service Award which recognized the innovation of the Provincial Government in implementing Pandemic Recovery Programs under its ABIG PANGASINAN KARABAN.
/Paula Jhea Sison (PIO Photos)
Share your Comments or Reactions
Powered by Facebook Comments
