PSAC urges job protection, PUV subsidies to ease impact of Middle East crisis

The Private Sector Advisory Council (PSAC) has recommended to President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. a set of coordinated measures aimed at safeguarding jobs and sustaining economic activity amid tensions in the Middle East.

The recommendations were presented during the 4th Meeting of the PSAC Education and Jobs Sector Group with the President in Malacañang on Wednesday, April 8.

In the meeting, business leaders and policymakers outlined targeted interventions to mitigate the impact of global volatility on Filipino workers and enterprises.

The President said the discussions have emphasized a shared direction between policymakers and industry leaders.

"Ang magandang naging resulta dito… we are very much in agreement with the private sector advisors kung ano 'yung dapat gawin to mitigate the effects of what is happening in the Middle East," Marcos said. 

(The good outcome is that... we are very much in agreement with the private sector advisors on what should be done to mitigate the effects of what is happening in the Middle East.)

"So, tama 'yung pareho ang aming thinking (So, it's good that we think alike)… we are on the same page," he added, referring to the mindset of the government and private.

The PSAC's proposals center on rapid job matching, workforce redeployment, and accelerated project execution to absorb displaced workers.

The group suggested expanding nationwide job fairs and fast-tracking hiring across both government and private sectors, alongside the immediate restart of infrastructure and school construction projects.

Meanwhile, to address displacement of overseas Filipino workers (OFWs), the PSAC also proposed a streamlined redeployment processes, micro-credential training across key industries, and expanded support for entrepreneurship and MSMEs.

"Our focus is twofold: immediate job preservation and long-term workforce transformation. By investing in skills, accelerating job matching, and supporting enterprises, we can help ensure that Filipinos remain productive and competitive despite global headwinds," Sabin Aboitiz, PSAC Lead Convener and President and CEO of Aboitiz Group, said.

Subsidies for PUV sector

The PSAC also called on Marcos to provide targeted subsidies distributed via digital platforms for public utility vehicle (PUV) operators as global fuel prices remain high due to the Middle East conflict.

"With workers relying on public transport, the council recommended subsidies or financial assistance for public utility vehicle operators to keep jeepneys and buses running," it said in a statement released Thursday.

"At the same time, it called for accelerated digital infrastructure rollout to enable remote work and reduce dependence on physical mobility," it added.

The Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) earlier this week said it has distributed nearly P1 billion in fuel subsidies—P200 million in Metro Manila, P99 million in Calabarzon, P86 million Central Visayas, P82 million in Central Luzon, and P69 million in Northern Mindanao.

Beneficiaries of the fuel subsidy program are drivers and operators of modern and traditional jeepneys, Utility Vehicle (UV) Express, regular and point-to-point buses, transport network vehicle service, taxis, and tricycles.

The Department of Budget and Management (DBM) said it has released P2.5 billion as of Wednesday, April 8, for transport assistance, and another P1 billion for service contracting to keep public transport operations afloat.

The PSAC—composed of business leaders and experts in agriculture, infrastructure, digital infrastructure, education and jobs, healthcare, and tourism—also proposed the possible extension of tax incentives for export-oriented firms.

Another central component of the strategy is the rollout of "AIUDA" (AI Upskilling para sa Digital Asenso), which is a rapid re-skilling initiative designed to transition workers into digital and remote roles within weeks.

"Our focus is twofold: immediate job preservation and long-term workforce transformation. By investing in skills, accelerating job matching, and supporting enterprises, we can help ensure that Filipinos remain productive and competitive despite global headwinds," PSAC lead convenor and Aboitiz Group chief executive officer Sabin Aboitiz said in a statement. — VDV, GMA News