Lawmakers are pushing for the creation of a Local Employment Authority, an agency that would address the unemployment situation in the country.
Cagayan de Oro Rep. Rufus Rodriguez and Abante Mindanao party-list Rep. Maximo Rodriguez, Jr. sought the passage of House Bill (HB) 1061, calling for the creation of a special agency that would plan, manage and supervise local jobs and employment opportunities.
“The unemployment scenario may worsen and there will be substantial loss of job opportunities and income,” the brother-lawmakers claimed.
The National Statistics Office records showed that some 2.86 million Filipinos are still jobless, as of January 2013.
HB 1061 provides for the merging of three bureaus under the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), namely, the Bureau of Local Employment, the Bureau of Rural Workers, and the Bureau of Women and Young Workers to give way for the creation of the Local Employment Authority.
Under the measure, the Local Employment Authority shall be governed by a Governing Board composed of the Secretary of DOLE as ex-officio chairman, and the Director General of the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA), the Secretaries of the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) and the Department of Agriculture (DA) as ex-officio members.
One representative each from the employer/industry and labor sectors, who shall hold office for three years, shall also be appointed by the President, the bill proposed.
“It is the policy of the State to afford protection to labor, promote full employment, ensure equal work opportunities regardless of sex, race or creed, and regulate the relations between workers and employers,” the Rodriguez brothers stressed.

Source: Manila Bulletin - April 23, 2013