Gov’t wooing OFWs to help ‘Build, build, build’

The head of the Duterte administration’s economic team wants to bring back skilled Filipino construction workers currently overseas to help in the rollout of the government’s ambitious “Build, Build, Build” infrastructure program.

“I was told that getting skilled workers is getting a little bit tough. I am talking about technicians, welders,” Finance Secretary Carlos Dominguez III told reporters recently.

Under “Build, build, build,” the government plans to implement 75 massive projects, about half of which are targeted for completion within President Duterte’s term.

The program will entail spending a total of P8.13 trillion on hard and modern infrastructure until 2022 to usher in “the golden age of infrastructure” after years of neglect.

For Dominguez, the lack of construction workers could be addressed if government agencies involved would partner with contractors and hold job fairs targeting overseas Filipino workers (OFWs).

To lure the OFWs back home, Dominguez said the domestic construction industry should dangle higher pay.

“Local companies have to understand that skilled workers are acceptable anywhere in the world, and if you want to get skilled workers you have to compete,” Dominguez said.

He added the Department of Labor and Employment and the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority should also review their job skills programs to be able to cater to sectors with high demand, such as construction.

Data from the National Economic and Development Authority (Neda) showed the government’s banner infrastructure program was expected to generate an average of 1.063 million jobs annually from 2017 to 2022.

Last month, Neda Undersecretary Rolando G. Tungpalan said the government would already break ground for 34 of the 75 flagship projects this year.

Construction would soon commence for 12 bridges crossing Pasig River, Marikina River and Manggahan Floodway.

These bridges to be constructed by the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) were seen to “improve road transport network capacity and efficiency in Metro Manila” as well as “alleviate traffic congestion,” Tungpalan had said.

The DPWH would also roll out the P4.86-billion Panguil Bay Bridge project connecting Tangub City in Misamis Occidental and Tubod, Lanao del Norte.

The Department of Transportation would also implement the P35.26-billion 102-kilometer Mindanao Rail Project (Phase 1) connecting Tagum, Davao City and Digos in Region 11.