ILOILO CITY, Iloilo (PNA) — The public and the private sectors must work together for the socio-economic development of the region and for job generation and protection of laborers in Western Visayas.
Such need for strong public and private (sector) partnerships (PPPs) was stressed by Department of Labor and Employment in Region 6 (DOLE-6) director Ponciano Ligutom during the recent Intermediaries Assembly held in Iloilo City.
Present during the Assembly were 62 participants from DOLE field office heads and officers/members of the Public Employment Service Office Association, Guidance Counselors Network, Tripartite Industrial Peace Council, Western Visayas Occupational Safety and Health Network, Panay and Negros Family Welfare Committees, Panay and Negros Contractors and Sub-contractors Group, intermediaries of the National Conciliation Mediation Board and Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA)-Supervised Schools Association of Iloilo, Inc. and representatives of businesses and private sector organizations.
Ligutom said these intermediaries must not compete with each other, but rather, must work together and compete with other countries.
He also said the formation of Intermediaries will enhance PPPs and highlight the concept of convergence and corporate social responsibility in private firms.
Ligutom said the Assembly shall serve as a consultative body and will work closely with DOLE’s Regional Coordinating Council and other government agencies towards the improvement of the lives of workers in the region.
National Economic Development Authority 6 Director Ro-Ann Bacal, meanwhile, noted the advantages of forging PPPs in terms of financial and non-monetary aspects.
She cited the Boracay Airport in Caticlan, Malay, Aklan, which is being managed by a San Miguel Corporation subsidiary as a major PPP project in Western Visayas.
At the end of the event, an accord was signed by Assembly participants, stressing that they will work together to build a more healthy and safe environment, and for a productive and globally competitive workforce.

Source: Manila Bulletin - June 7, 2013