Lawmakers blamed for high RP unemployment rate

CEBU - “The current rise in unemployment rate in the country is the highest among members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations as legislators would rather dance the Chacha (Charter Change) than buckle down to work and face real concerns,” says Fernando Fajardo of the University of San Carlos during the 888 Forum yesterday at the Waterfront Cebu City Hotel in barangay Lahug.

In his report on Philippine Economic and Situation Progress presented during the forum that was attended by representatives of the National Economic and Development Authority, the Department of Trade and Industry, the Cebu Business Club, among other offices, Fajardo mentioned of the alarming possibility of more Filipinos having no jobs this year with the wrong priorities of the government.

The report noted of a 10-percent increase this year in the number of jobless compared to that of last year, which is said to be twice bigger than the increase in Korea, China, and Taiwan.

Despite this threat on Philippine labor market, NEDA director Marlyn Rodriguez said that the country is still the best investment site for business process outsourcing.

Here in Cebu alone, call centers provide work to around 50,000 individuals.

“If opportunities like these would continue, then more jobs could be offered for the Filipinos,” Rodriguez said. – AJ de la Torre (CIT Masscom intern)/MEEV (THE FREEMAN)