The Philippine government’s strategy to provide employment to displaced OFWs got a boost following a tie-up between the Philippine Department of Transportation (DOTr) and the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), to provide jobs in the transport sector.
Transportation Secretary Arthur Tugade announced his signing a memorandum of agreement with Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello III — and also the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) – that highlighted DOTr job opportunities for the displaced OFWs.
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While the agreement means that DOTr will provide the OWWA with the vacancy lists for these OFWs to apply for, the OFWs need not leave the country in search of jobs, Tugade said, adding that local employers too will get the needed workforce to complete their projects.
To date, around 200 former OFWs have been deployed in the Philippine National Railways (PNR) Clark Phase 1. Tugade also confirmed that another 2,000 jobs will be given to OFWs and to displaced public-utility drivers and conductors, highlighting the joint efforts of government agencies to assist jobless OFWs. (AW)
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