DTI, DOLE told to adopt contingency plans amid Japan crisis

Senator Manual Villar Jr. on Friday asked the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) and the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) to formulate a joint contingency plan to help companies and employees that might be affected by economic downturns, which may come in the wake of the triple-whammy disasters that hit Japan since last week. “While we continue to hope for the best, we must also be realistic about the consequences attached to the sad and tragic turn of events in Japan," Villar, who chairs the Senate trade committee, said in a statement released Friday. He explained that based on data from the Philippine Economic Zone Authority, there are at least 580 firms with Japanese equity availing of incentives in various economic zones across the Philippines. He specifically said that 35 companies, representing 26.75 percent of the foreign investors doing business at the Clark Freeport in Pampanga, are run by Japanese nationals, according to the January 2008 report of the Clark Development Corporation. Villar likewise said that the country's unemployment rate rose to 7.4 percent this year, without even considering overseas Filipino workers who were affected or even displaced and repatriated due to the various disasters and political conflicts that hit other countries since the start of the year. "We need a concrete plan to boost domestic investments and create alternative jobs for displaced and repatriated workers," he said. He suggested that the DTI and the Department of Agriculture (DA) work together on a joint program to push agricultural businesses as alternative to scarce employment opportunities. “With proper training and incentives, our returning overseas Filipino Workers (OFW) and thousands of jobless Filipinos can grow backyard or homegrown micro enterprises with the DTI and DA pitching in to provide access to markets and well-known supply chains," he said. Villar had also earlier sought the restoration of the budget slashed from the Department of Foreign Affairs to ensure that sufficient assistance is given to distressed OFWs. “Right now, the government is able to undertake rescue and repatriation missions using OWWA funds. However, these funds rightfully belong to the OFWs and must be reimbursed at the appropriate time," he said.—Kimberly Jane T. Tan/JV, GMA News