Gutoc, Alejano assail Duterte for blaming shortage of workers in ‘Build’ projects delay

MANILA, Philippines — Otso Diretso opposition senatorial candidates Samira Gutoc and Gary Alejano on Friday assailed President Rodrigo Duterte for blaming the alleged shortage of skilled workers for the delay in the roll-out of the “Build, Build, Build” infrastructure program.

In a speech during the initial campaign sortie of his PDP-Laban party in Bulacan Thursday, Duterte said: “Itong Build, Build, Build, medyo atrasado. Walang trabahante (This “Build, Build, Build” program is delayed. No workers).”

READ: Shortage of skilled workers hampering ‘Build, Build, Build’ program – Duterte

But Marawi civic leader Gutoc said the Duterte administration can blame itself for its failure to provide ample opportunities for Filipinos when it comes to jobs, training and livelihood.

“Mr. President, with all due respect, maraming Pilipino po ang walang trabaho sa bansa kahit pa marami sa kanila ay may kakayahan. May problema sa pag-reach out ang gobyerno, may problema sa pag-suporta ang gobyerno,” Gutoc said in a statement.

(Mr. President, with all due respect, there are many jobless Filipinos even if they have skills. The government has a problem reaching out and providing support.)

Alejano, meanwhile, doubts the claim that there is a shortage of skilled Filipino workers as thousands leave the country every day to work abroad.

“Hindi kapani-paniwala na kulang ang mga Pilipinong skilled workers kung kaya naging mabagal ang pag-usad ng mga programa sa Build, Build, Build. Araw-araw, libo-libong mga OFWs ang iniiwan ang kanilang pamilya at nakikipagsapalaran sa ibang bansa upang may maipangtustos sa kanilang mga pangangailangan,” Alejano said in a statement.

(It is not believable that the “Build, Build, Build” program is delayed due to the shortage of skilled Filipino workers. Thousands of overseas Filipino workers (OFW) leave the country to support their family’s needs.)

“We are exporting our skilled OFWs abroad only to import Chinese laborers,” he lamented.

Gutoc pointed out the stark irony that while the Duterte administration continues to allot billions for the ‘Build, Build, Build’ infrastructure program, it has failed to rebuild the war-torn Marawi City.

“Build! Build! Build! pero walang Jobs! Jobs! Jobs! para sa mga Pilipino (There is “Build! Build! Build!” but no “Jobs! Jobs! Jobs! for Filipinos),” the Muslim and women’s rights advocate said.

Gutoc asserted that the government must stop ignoring the needs of Filipinos and that the push for decent jobs education, peace and the rehabilitation of Marawi should have the same strength and focus as the campaign on illegal drugs and insurgency.

Alejano for his part called for government transparency as the massive infrastructure program of the President heavily relies on loans coming from China.

He stressed that the government should present to the public the skills that projects require so Filipinos can consider them.

The government should also ensure that the training programs at TESDA should fill this need, he added.