By Kris M. Crismundo
MANILA, Dec. 11 (PNA) — The government vows to create more quality jobs for Filipinos before the Aquino administration steps down by mid-2016, said National Economic Development Authority (NEDA) Assistant Director General Rosemarie G. Edillon.
At the Kapihan ng Media ng Bayan on Friday, Edillon said more than generating jobs, the quality of employment will help in alleviating poverty.
“Our focus is to address underemployment,” she added.
The official noted that the Labor Force Survey in October 2015 reported that underemployment dropped to 17.7 percent from 18.7 percent in October 2014.
Likewise, she stressed that the country has posted the lowest unemployment rate in 10 years at 5.6 percent in October 2015, the first time for the country to hit unemployment rate at below 6.0 percent.
Edillon mentioned that in the near term, the country will continue to create jobs in manufacturing sector as well as construction sector with the robust property sector and ramp up of government’s infrastructure spending.
She also said the direction of the local information technology business process outsourcing (ITBPO) is toward non-voice segment which is in the higher value chain.
Edillon noted that the administration pursues reforms, particularly improving doing business in the country, to attract more investments and create more jobs.
The government will also continue to improve skills of its manpower through increased budget in education and partnering with the industry. (PNA)