4M jobs created by ‘Build, Build, Build’ since 2016
Since 2016, more than four million job opportunities were created since the start of the government’s infrastructure program – Build, Build, Build, said Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Secretary, Mark Villar on Tuesday.
According to DPWH, a total of 4,199,228 jobs have been generated to fulfill road, bridge, flood-control, and other infrastructure projects under the department nationwide.
Aside from the administration’s support by increasing DPWH’s budget for projects, almost half of the work were funded under the 2018 General Appropriations Act (GAA).
“Thanks to the huge increase in DPWH budget since President Rodrigo Roa Duterte took over, we were able to provide jobs to millions of Filipinos across the country,” Villar noted in a statement.
In 2018, about 1.087 million workers were employed. A total of 1.281 million workers landed a job under BBB projects in 2017, and a number of 1.830 million were employed last year, 2018.
“Through BBB, contractors hire at least 50 percent of unskilled and 30 percent of skilled labor requirement from the locality where the projects are located within an average of four months per projects, 22 days a month,” said DPWH secretary.
Also adding, “These workers are earning an average daily wage of P550 and are helping us build vital infrastructure projects across the country.”
More jobs ahead
Under the BBB programs (Build Build Build programs), roads, bridges, airports, and railways will be constructed, with a total budget of P8 trillion, from 2017 to 2022.
The future continues to be bright for 2019 as at least a million more workers are expected to benefit from the projects to be implemented this year, following an approved budget of P3.757 trillion for 2019.
“We hope that this massive infrastructure program of the government will be able to solve traffic woes and improve connectivity among towns and cities, and will further improve livelihood nationwide,” DPWH Secretary, Mark Villar said.
via Manila Bulletin / Betheena Unite
