Loren woos Ilocanos; Cayetano wants more forums

MANILA, Philippines — Senatorial candidate and Deputy Speaker Loren Legarda yesterday sought the support of Ilocano voters, as she promised to continue programs toward job creation, livelihood assistance and skills training.?

In her trip to Ilocos Sur Friday, the three-term senator said Ilocanos have a special place in her heart, recalling her Ilocana yaya Nanay Fely, who took care of her since childhood alongside her late mother Bessie.

“I owe whatever I have achieved today to an Ilocana. I’m also very grateful to all Ilocanos who supported me since I first ran in 1998 and made me number one senator in the region three times. Now that I am seeking a senatorial comeback, I’m asking again for your full support for me to continue the programs and the causes that I have been espousing for the betterment of the Filipino people,” Legarda said.

She stressed that while she was not in a national post in the past three years, she never forgot to help Ilocos Sur as she wanted to uplift the lives of Ilocanos amid the pandemic.

Legarda recalled that in 2018, she allocated funds for the establishment of the Ilokos Province Theme Park in Vigan City. Through her intervention as then chair of the Senate committee on finance, the Vigan Airport Development Project was funded and the Water System Facilities in Public Schools in the first district of Ilocos Sur were made possible.?In her speech, Legarda said she will continue to provide much-needed funding for emergency employment and livelihood assistance to displaced workers, underemployed and seasonal workers.

The House leader said this will be done in partnership with the Department of Labor and Employment’s (DOLE) TUPAD or Tulong Panghanapbuhay sa Ating Disadvantaged/Displaced Workers and GIP (Government Internship Program) in the province of Ilocos Sur.

She said these programs have successfully addressed unemployment in the province as it promoted rural development and empowered workers who are the backbone of the economy.

Once reelected to the Senate, Legarda also committed to continue providing funds for the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority’s programs like the Barangay Kabuhayan Skills Training Program, Training for Work Scholarship Program and Special Training for Employment Program. These programs will further provide Ilocos Sur with the capacity to generate more livelihood, promote entrepreneurship and ensure better employability of Ilocano skilled workers.

Voter education

Meanwhile, senatorial aspirant Alan Peter Cayetano sought more forums where candidates for the May 9 national and local elections can participate and educate the voters about them.

Cayetano said that knowing the various candidates is really important for voters to choose the best ones that would lead the country in the next six years.

“I’d really like to have more forums. Especially on radio, because it reaches every corner of our country. It’s important that we not only see or get entertained by the candidates but that we hear their platforms and how they will fulfill their promises,” Cayetano said.

He also said that the next leaders should brace themselves for the difficulties in making the country’s economy recover from the effects of the pandemic.

Ensure hybrid model benefits

Former senator and UniTeam senatorial bet Jinggoy Estrada yesterday urged DOLE to ensure that workers under the hybrid or work-from-home set-up are paid proper benefits and allowances.

Estrada made the call amidst the growing number of Filipinos choosing a hybrid home-office scheme or exclusive work-from-home set up due to fear of COVID-19 and difficulty of commuting to and from work.

“If an employee chooses to work from home, employers must pay them proper compensation, benefits and allowances. While workers enjoy the benefits of not leaving home, their employers also save on utility costs like electricity and water, as well as office rental,” Estrada said.

As this developed, the former senate president pro tempore expressed alarm over the growing number of Filipinos quitting their jobs amidst the pandemic.

Citing a study by Sprout Solutions, a Filipino software company, Estrada said the number of Filipinos voluntarily quitting their jobs in 2021 jumped by as much as 70 percent.

Most affected are the following sectors: professional, scientific and technical services whose attrition rate spiked by 273 percent; construction, 120 percent; arts and entertainment, 207 percent; information and communication industry, 117 percent.

He said the most common reasons cited for the resignation include sudden changes in the work set up; lack of work-life balance; salary deductions and anxiety over job security.

Estrada said a growing number of Filipino workers prefer the hybrid work model, which they see as a safer alternative.

“While many choose to work from home, it doesn’t automatically give employers the right to cut their salaries and benefits,” he stressed.

Once elected to a fresh senate term, Estrada said he will file a bill that will clearly define and establish rights and obligations of workers and their employers under the hybrid work model. - Jose Rodel Clapano