Strategic investments in Philippines to generate 300,000 jobs — Marcos

Workers work on the different section of a shoe factory in Marikina City on Wednesday, September 27, 2023. President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. signs the Trabaho Para sa Bayan Act, which he says will address the country’s underemployment as well as upskill the Filipino workers.
INQUIRER PHOTO / GRIG C. MONTEGRANDE

MANILA, Philippines — President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. said on Thursday that approximately 300,000 jobs are expected to be created through strategic investments across various sectors.

Speaking at the Gawad Bayanihan sa Pamumuhunan awarding ceremony at Malacañan Palace, Marcos emphasized the role of the government’s One-Stop Action Center for Strategic Investments, which mandates agencies to facilitate the ease of doing business in the country.

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“As of last month, we certified nearly 190—187 to be exact—strategic investments across key sectors,” the president said.

“These include renewable energy, digital infrastructure, food security, and manufacturing—amounting to a total investment value of over P4.6 trillion,” he added.

Among the major projects under these investments are the 159-megawatt peak Laoag Solar Power Project and the 94-megawatt peak Cayanga-Bugallon Solar Power Project in Pangasinan, as well as the EDC-Project Charlie Hyperscale Data Center in New Clark City, Tarlac.

“What do these reforms truly mean for our people? Jobs and service. This investment is expected to generate nearly 300,000 jobs for our fellow citizens. These are not just jobs but meaningful opportunities for a better and more comfortable life,” Marcos said in English and Filipino.

The event marked the first year of implementing the nationwide ease of doing business initiative.

It also recognized the contributions of national government agencies and local government units in enforcing Executive Order No. 18, also known as “Constituting Green Lanes for Strategic Investments.”

This order serves as the government-wide response to enhance ease of doing business by streamlining and automating government processes for strategic investments.