Govt, private firms seek ways to keep RP industries afloat

MANILA, Philippines - The Philippine government is regularly consulting with the private sector as it seeks ways to cushion the blow of the global economic crisis on local industries, Labor Secretary Marianito D. Roque said on Tuesday. In an interview over radio dzBB, Roque said that while lay-offs have yet to take place, some companies are already shortening job shifts to cut back on costs. Roque acknowledged that some sectors are already starting to suffer from the effects global economic crisis and the lower demand for commodities in the local market. To address this, he said the department holds dialogues and consultations with the private sector every two weeks through the "sectoral tripartite industrial council" composed of representatives from the electronics, garments, and banking industries. "Binabawasan yung shifts...o kaya inaalis yung overtime. It's a fact na nangyayari ngayon yan kasi meron na rin naapektuhan na sector. Hindi lang because of the global economic crisis kundi humihina yung demand sa merkado dito sa ating bansa (The shifts are shortened, or the companies do away with overtime. It's a fact that it's happening now because some sectors are already affected, not just by the global economic crisis, but by the weakening demand in our local market)," Roque said. The DOLE chief, however, assured that the department is putting in place "safety nets" such as strengthened alternative livelihood programs that will aid Filipinos should some lose their jobs due to the dismal global economic situation. "Sa ngayon ang ating pamahalaan ay tumutungon sa pangangailangan ng ating manggagawa ...we prepare for the worst (Right now the government is doing its best to respond to the needs of our laborers)," Roque said. - GMANews.TV