San Miguel Corporation has started training residents in Bulacan as part of its job creation program for the soon-to-be-built Manila International Airport.
The mega project is expected to generate thousands of jobs in its construction and the company aims to prioritize local residents and returning overseas Filipino workers.
RELATED NEWS: Bulacan Airport to be one of the biggest in the world, Ramon Ang says
SMC president and chief operating officer Ramon S. Ang said that being prioritized for initial hiring are local residents of Bulacan, in particular, relocatees from Bgy. Taliptip, where the airport is to be built.
“We designed these skills training program with TESDA specifically to equip Bulakenos with the necessary skills needed to either work at the airport project, put up a small businesses to support airport workers, or even start on their own elsewhere if they choose to do so,” Ang said.
“Over the next couple of years, construction of this massive airport will generate hundreds of thousands of direct and indirect jobs. We will prioritize local residents, but there will be so many jobs and livelihood opportunities that ultimately, workers will come from all over Bulacan, Central Luzon, even Metro Manila and southern Luzon,” he added.
SMC will also open employment opportunities to Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) who have been returning in droves to the country recently due to the uncertain global economic conditions.
RELATED NEWS: Ang says Bulacan airport construction to generate 1 million jobs for OFWs, locals
“A lot of Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) had to return to the country in recent months after they lost their jobs. Many are not sure if they will be getting new contracts from their foreign employers given the difficult economic conditions. With this world-class airport project, those who will opt to stay home will no longer be separated from families and will have a viable option,” Ang said.
“We have so many talented and experienced Filipino skilled workers and engineers and they can really be an asset to this project. It’s a project they can be proud of, and tell their grandchildren about,” he added.
SMC said that construction activities will have an immediate economic impact on so many sectors.
“Apart from direct jobs, the company also has to pay for suppliers of materials, equipment, or services, which then generates even more jobs and benefits more people. Short to medium-term, we can help so many Filipinos with jobs and help kickstart our economic recovery. Long-term, this airport will help create even more growth opportunities for our country,” Ang added.
RELATED NEWS: PH’s 10th richest man Ramon Ang shares his No. 1 success secret to FEU grads
