Palace: Gov’t to address shortage of skilled workers

MANILA, Philippines — Malacañang on Friday assured the public that the government is already moving to address the shortage of skilled workers, which President Rodrigo Duterte earlier blamed for the delay in his “Build, Build, Build” program.

Presidential Spokesperson Salvador Panelo said in a Palace briefing that the President has directed the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (Tesda) to do something about the reported lack of experts in carpentry and welding, among others.

“Marami tayong tao na hindi empleyado sa gobyerno, sa kumpanya kasi di naman sila qualified…Kaya nga sabi ni Presidente sa Tesda (chief) aba e kailangang gumawa ka ng paraan para magkaroon tayo ng malalim na bench ng mga karpintero, mga electricians, kasi marami ang nagpuntahan sa ibang bansa e,” he added.

(We have people who are not employed by the government or companies because they are not qualified. That’s why the President told the Tesda chief to ensure that we have a pool of workers trained as carpenters and electricians because those skills are in high demand abroad.)

In an event in Bulacan on Thursday, the President said the shortage of skilled workers in the country is to blame for the delay in the implementation of infrastructure projects under the government’s “Build, Build, Build” program.

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

Earlier, Duterte asked concerned government agencies to ensure the timely completion of infrastructure projects as it may “cause great inconvenience and serious damage to the prejudice of the general public, and adversely affect the delivery of basic services.” /ee

READ: Duterte reminds gov’t agencies on timely completion of infra projects