Speaker Ferdinand Martin G. Romualdez on Wednesday said the enactment into law of the “Trabaho Para sa Bayan Act” demonstrates the unwavering dedication of the administration of President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr. to the welfare and prosperity of our citizens.
Romualdez was among the government officials who witnessed Pres. Marcos, Jr., as he signed into law in Malacanang Republic Act No. 11962 also known as the Trabaho Para sa Bayan Act, that would create a national employment master plan.
“By signing this law into effect, President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr. has reaffirmed his dedication to the welfare of every Filipino, regardless of their background or circumstance,” said Romualdez, leader of the 311-member House of Representatives.
“The Trabaho Para sa Bayan (TPB) Act underscores our government’s commitment to inclusivity, equity, and progress for all Filipinos. It is a testament to the President’s vision that a prosperous and thriving nation can only be built on the foundation of gainful employment and economic stability,” he added.
The new law is based on Senate Bill No. 2035, passed on third and final reading in May this year, and House Bill No. 8400 last August.
RA 11962 calls for a job-creation plan with three-year, six-year, and ten-year timelines to aid the post-pandemic recovery. It would serve as the State’s master plan for employment generation and recovery to realize short-term and long-term goals and visions for the country.
The law created the Trabaho Para sa Bayan Inter-Agency Council tasked to formulate success measures, key performance indicators, and action components of the TBP Plan.
Romualdez said the multi-faceted approach of the new law to generate employment will ensure that our country’s recovery efforts are both robust and sustainable as he vowed support of the House for the proper implementation of the law.
“We will actively work to implement strategies and initiatives aimed at fostering employment growth across various sectors of our economy,” he said.
He called on all stakeholders to work together to realize the vision embodied in the TBP Act.
“Together, we can realize the vision of a nation where job opportunities abound, where families are secure, and where the Filipino spirit of resilience and determination shines ever brighter. The Trabaho Para sa Bayan Act is a symbol of hope and progress, and it is now our collective responsibility to turn this vision into reality,” Romualdez said.
As envisioned under the law, the job creation plan would offer incentives to stimulate investment to address unemployment, underemployment, and the rising informality of work arrangements. It likewise seeks to provide skills training to enhance the employability of workers and support micro, small, and medium enterprises.
Toward this end, the plan should also include incentives for offering training, technology, knowledge transfer, upskilling, reskilling, and enterprise-based training programs such as apprenticeship, work immersion, and on-the-job training.
It also seeks to identify priority sectors and key emerging industries with high employment potential and strong prospects for attracting direct investment.
In addition, it calls for a national reintegration program for documented and undocumented overseas Filipino workers.
