Robredo bares agenda for job generation, curbing work discrimination

Vice President Leni Robredo on Friday bared her plans to generate jobs and livelihood if she wins in the 2022 presidential race.

At a press conference, Robredo outlined her "Hanapbuhay Para Sa Lahat" program, which aims to create more employment opportunities for Filipinos. In providing more jobs for Filipinos, Robredo said the government should first regain the trust and confidence of the public by curbing corruption in the employment sector.

"Ititigil natin ang korapsyon, ang cronyism, at pangaabuso sa sistema. Bubuwagin natin ang mga sindikatong ginawa ng negosyo ang gobyerno. Gagawin nating patas ang merkado at sisiguruhing may isang salita ang pamahalaan," Robredo said.

(We must stop corruption, cronyism and abuse of the system. We will dismantle syndicates which are utilizing the government as a form of business. We will push for an equal market and we will ensure that the government will stand by its words.)

Robredo said there should be clearer strategies to produce competitive Filipinos and a better implementation of the Ease of Doing Business Act. The presidential aspirant also said she would push for digital transition in the government.

"Sa ganitong paraan, magkakakumpiyansa ang mga investors sa sistema, papasok ang bagong puhunan, lalago ang mga negosyo at malilikha ang bagong trabaho," Robredo said.

(In this way, investors will come and our businesses will prosper, which will later bring more jobs to Filipinos.)

Local industries

Robredo also promised to focus on developing Filipino industries such as the maritime, climate, technical, and the manufacturing industry. When it comes to the maritime industry, Robredo wants to focus on improving the training and modernizing the country's ports.

"Ang pinakauna, ang maritime industry kung saan may natural tayong bentahe dahil sa husay at dami ng marinong Pilipino. Tututok tayo sa tao, iaayon natin ang training sa pandaigdigang pamantayan at isasali ang maritime industry sa senior high school," Robredo said.

(We will focus on making our maritime training at par with international standards. We will also incorporate the maritime industry in the curriculum for senior high school.)

"Gagawin nating mas maganda, mas moderno at mas integrated ang mga daungan at pantalan. Padadaliin natin ang pagpaparehistro ng barko sa Pilipinas at gagawing strategic enabler ang maritime administration para makabuo ng cargo shipping line na naglalayag sa buong mundo dala ang bandila ng Pilipinas.

(We will modernize our ports. We will make ship registration easier and we will make our maritime administration a strategic enabler in order to establish a cargo shipping line that will sail globally, bearing the Philippine flag.)

In the climate industry, Robredo said she would push for the creation of an e-transport industry and a more sustainable agricultural sector.

She will also prioritize the development of the technical industry wherein the skills and capabilities of every Filipino will be given importance and will be accorded with a reasonable salary.

Aside from that, she will also push for digital transformation in the government.

Robredo added that she would revive the manufacturing industry through an industry road map.

"Susulitin natin ang resources na mayroon tayo kabilang na ang likas nating yaman at lilikha ng matibay na ugnayan sa pagitan ng iba't-ibang industriya," she said.

(We will make use of our natural resources and we will connect this with other local industries.)

Discrimination in work settings

Robredo said she would put an end on all forms of discrimination being observed in work places by pushing for a more comprehensive anti-discrimination measures.

"Ipapatupad natin nang husto ang Anti-Age Discrimination Act at isusulong ang pagsasabatas ng mas komprehensibong Anti-Discrimination Bill. Ang prinsipyo, kahit may edad ka na, ano man ang natapos mo, ano mang kasarian mo, kung handa kang magbanat ng buto, karapatan mong maghanap-buhay," Robredo said.

(We will enforce properly the Anti-Age Discrimination Act and we will push for the legislation of a more comprehensive anti-discrimination bill. The principle is you can still work despite old age, your educational background, and your gender. You can still work if you are still willing to.)

Robredo said she would also strengthen the STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math) industry and the gender-equal practices in all industries.

Small businesses

The Vice President further vowed to provide more support for small businesses by letting them be part of the government's procurement processes.

"Iuugnay natin ang maliliit na negosyo sa mas malawak na merkado partikular sa larangan ng agrikultura at turismo. Papanday tayo ng mas makabagong patakaran na mas angkop sa digital economy. Aalisin natin ang red tape para mas madali ang negosyo," Robredo said.

(We will connect small businesses to the larger market, particularly in the agriculture and tourism sector. We will create new regulations for achieving the digital economy. We will also curb red tape among businesses.)

Robredo further said re-training and skills matching programs are needed so that Filipinos can cope with the emerging industry. She is also eyeing to provide an unemployment insurance program to ease the burden of those who lost their jobs amid the pandemic.

Endo

Robredo was also asked for her stance on ending labor contractualization in the country, which is also one of the campaign promises of President Rodrigo Duterte.

Robredo stressed that it is very easy to make promises for the public but the difference here would lie on the track record of the politician, including what he or she did while he or she is still not a candidate.

"Ito hindi lang sa issue na ito, hindi lang sa issue na ito pero lahat ng issues. Ang parating assurance kasi track record eh. Lahat kami ngayon magsasabi na kontra kami dito, lahat kami magsasabi na kontra kami korapsyon, lahat kami magsasabi mahal namin 'yung mahihirap, lahat kami magsasabi aasikasuhin namin 'yung magsasaka. Pero ang pinakaassurance, noong di pa kami kandidato, ano 'yung ginagawa namin?" she said.

(This is not only for this issue but for all. Track record has always been the assurance. All of us will say now that we are against corruption, we love the poor, we will fight for the farmers... But the real assurance here is what did we do when we are not yet a candidate._

"Madali lang mag-promise eh. Tingin ko hindi nagkakalayo 'yung promises namin pero 'yung assurance doon, papaano mo ito pinaglaban noong di ka pa kandidato?" Robredo said.

(It's easy to make promises. I think we almost have the same promises. But how did you fight for this when you are still not a candidate?) 

Corruption

At the same press briefing, Robredo said she would not single out her political enemies in her fight against corruption if she wins the 2022 presidential race.

She said she would be fair in running after those individuals who might be involved in corruption, whether they are her political enemies or not.

"Ako ang ieexpect nila na 'yung mga nagkasala, mapaparusahan. Hindi tayo mamili na dahil kalaban sa pulitika, hindi tayo magsspend ng oras at political capital para balikan 'yung mga kalaban sa pulitika," Robredo said.

(The public can expect that those who commit mistakes will be held liable for their actions. We will not single out our political opponents and we will not spend time and political capital just to run for them.)

"Ang sisiguraduhin natin na 'yung patas 'yung pagpapatupad... 'yung nakikita natin ngayon, dagdagan natin, dagdagan natin 'yung mechanisms para mahirap mailusot 'yung korapsyon," she added.

(We will ensure that we will be fair. We must add more mechanisms to combat corruption.) — RSJ, GMA News