Government must address lack of skilled workers — Leni

MANILA, Philippines — Vice President Leni Robredo urged the government yesterday to address the shortage of skilled workers in the country. 

Robredo issued the statement after President Duterte earlier blamed the lack of skilled workers for the supposed delay in the implementation of infrastructure projects under the Build Build Build program. 

“We should act on this. It’s true that we’re losing our skilled workers because they are being enticed by the high salary abroad,” the Vice President said in her weekly radio show BISErbisyong Leni over dzXL.

“The question is what is the government doing about this? The government must have continued skills training, and ensure that our workers are in good working conditions so they would not be lured by work abroad,” she said.

“Because if they would have better opportunities here, why would they leave their families? That’s why we must make sure they will have no reasons to leave,” Robredo said.

The Build Build Build program is among the top priorities of the Duterte administration, with a target of at least P8 trillion in government spending from 2017 to 2022. 

Anna Mae Lamentillo, chair of the committee that oversees the administration’s Build Build Build, earlier said the Philippine labor force could meet the higher demand for construction workers. 

While she gave assurance that Filipino workers would benefit from the program, Lamentillo has admitted some specialized tasks might require the expertise of foreigners.