Palace optimistic on job prospects

MANILA, Philippines — Malacañang is confident that job and employment prospects remain positive despite the economic downturn due to the new coronavirus pandemic.

Cabinet Secretary Karlo Nograles stressed that despite the uncertainties, there would be an increased demand for jobs in the health and medical sector, online retail and deliveries, etc.

Nograles reminded the public, especially new graduates, to be “persistent and creative” especially that no one was immune from the economic fall-out due to the pandemic.

“Know what and where to look for, employment-wise, in these challenging times … Everyone in both the public and private sector is affected, and our government is doing its best to provide social and economic safety nets,” said the co-chair of the Inter-Agency Task Force on Emerging Infectious Diseases.

Nograles made the remarks in a webinar organized by the Far Eastern University Career and Placement Office.

Last month, Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello III said around four to five million Filipinos could lose their jobs as an effect of the pandemic, and that unemployment could hit 10 million.

Nograles remained optimistic, noting that “some businesses are resilient, remain extremely relevant and are in fact booming despite the prevailing global health crisis.”

He said several businesses were even “booming and have the potential of taking advantage of the challenges posed by the current situation.”

Nograles said these businesses belonged to the health and medical sectors, online retail and deliveries, and various online services.

He noted that business would be challenging for the service sector, but industries like logistics, medicine and health care and even online retail remain stable and are poised to grow.

He said the government was expecting an increased demand for professionals skilled in information technology, health care, education, logistics and personal assistance services.