Subic generates over 16,000 jobs in Jan-Sept

The Subic Bay Freeport has generated jobs for 16,368 workers from January to September this year, according to Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) chairman Felicito C. Payumo.

According to a report from the SBMA labor center, Payumo said the new workers are in addition to the 5,000 workers employed by the SBMA and its subsidiary, Freeport Service Corp.

Payumo said that to date, the Subic labor center reports that there are now 66,420 workers in the Subic Freeport.

He highlighted the fact that the number of jobs created during the first nine months of this year is higher than the number of jobs created for the same period last year. From January to September 2001, the SBMA labor center statistics showed a total of 15,270 workers were hired.

Payumo said the SBMA regularly holds job fairs to assist freeport locators in finding competent and skilled workers, especially from the Central Luzon area.

The job fairs, Payumo said, helps boost the government’s employment generation program.

The Subic freeport, continues to be one of the country’s top economic zones and generates the most jobs.

Payumo pointed out that "Innovative labor policies which include equitable distribution of workers from different municipalities have resulted in more job opportunities."

A breakdown of workers hired from municipalities are — Olongapo City with 6,479 workers, comprising 42.1 percent of the Subic freeport workforce; Bataan with 2,510 workers, account for 16.3 percent, Zambales with 2.945 workers of 19.1 percent with the rest coming from Central Luzon, including Metro Manila.

Payumo projects that employment in the Subic freeport would soon reach the 30,000 employment mark realized during the time of the US Navy.