Marcos to LGUs: Work with natl govt on infra projects
PRESIDENT Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has called on Iloilo's local government executives to collaborate with the national government on future infrastructure projects in the province. Meeting with the Regional Development Council (RDC) in Iloilo City on Thursday, Marcos said local officials played a crucial role in improving the province and the welfare of their constituents. "Nobody is more expert in your area than the governor and mayors, and so we always consider your inputs to be very, very valuable," he said. "Do not be hesitant if there is something else that you want to bring up; if there is a problem or if you think there is a good idea that we can develop, relay them to us and we will look into it," he added. During the meeting, Marcos was briefed on the progress of the major infrastructure projects in Western Visayas, including the rehabilitation and improvement of the Boracay Circumferential Road and the Jalaur River Multipurpose Project Stage III. He also received updates on the Panay-Guimaras-Negros Island Bridge Project, the Panay Railway System, the Boracay Bridge Project, and the road widening along Jaime Cardinal Sin Avenue in Aklan. The local chief executives also gave him a heads up on the Bacolod-Negros Occidental Economic Highway, the Panay East-West Road, the Panay River Basin Integrated Development Project, and the Iloilo-Capiz-Aklan Expressway. "This has been very useful for us because it is very important for us at the national level to hear from the locals. I am always reminding everyone that you must do all of these big projects, small projects, whatever it is, so long as it is a national initiative," Marcos said. Before meeting local officials of the RDC VI and leading the second proclamation rally of the Alyansa Para sa Bagong Pilipinas, the president attended the jobs fair for graduating and current Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) beneficiaries in La Paz, Iloilo City, on Thursday. In his speech, Marcos told the people of Iloilo City that he would look into the jobs-skills mismatch that has been plaguing the labor industry in the Philippines. Around 3,000 jobseekers joined the fair. Successful applicants will undergo pre-employment orientation by partner agencies and will also receive food assistance through the Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situation, amounting to P3,000 each. According to the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA), as of 2022, about 47 percent of employed Filipinos were underemployed, meaning they were either working fewer hours than they wanted to or were in jobs that did not fully utilize their skills and education. The PSA also reported that 20.7 percent of the labor force is underutilized, highlighting the gap between available jobs and the skills of the workforce. The mismatch is particularly evident in industries such as information technology, engineering and health care, where employers often cite a lack of technical expertise or soft skills among applicants.
Tomas Kauer - Moderator 
PRESIDENT Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has called on Iloilo's local government executives to collaborate with the national government on future infrastructure projects in the province.
Meeting with the Regional Development Council (RDC) in Iloilo City on Thursday, Marcos said local officials played a crucial role in improving the province and the welfare of their constituents.
"Nobody is more expert in your area than the governor and mayors, and so we always consider your inputs to be very, very valuable," he said.
"Do not be hesitant if there is something else that you want to bring up; if there is a problem or if you think there is a good idea that we can develop, relay them to us and we will look into it," he added.
During the meeting, Marcos was briefed on the progress of the major infrastructure projects in Western Visayas, including the rehabilitation and improvement of the Boracay Circumferential Road and the Jalaur River Multipurpose Project Stage III.
He also received updates on the Panay-Guimaras-Negros Island Bridge Project, the Panay Railway System, the Boracay Bridge Project, and the road widening along Jaime Cardinal Sin Avenue in Aklan.
The local chief executives also gave him a heads up on the Bacolod-Negros Occidental Economic Highway, the Panay East-West Road, the Panay River Basin Integrated Development Project, and the Iloilo-Capiz-Aklan Expressway.
"This has been very useful for us because it is very important for us at the national level to hear from the locals. I am always reminding everyone that you must do all of these big projects, small projects, whatever it is, so long as it is a national initiative," Marcos said.
Before meeting local officials of the RDC VI and leading the second proclamation rally of the Alyansa Para sa Bagong Pilipinas, the president attended the jobs fair for graduating and current Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) beneficiaries in La Paz, Iloilo City, on Thursday.
In his speech, Marcos told the people of Iloilo City that he would look into the jobs-skills mismatch that has been plaguing the labor industry in the Philippines.
Around 3,000 jobseekers joined the fair.
Successful applicants will undergo pre-employment orientation by partner agencies and will also receive food assistance through the Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situation, amounting to P3,000 each.
According to the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA), as of 2022, about 47 percent of employed Filipinos were underemployed, meaning they were either working fewer hours than they wanted to or were in jobs that did not fully utilize their skills and education.
The PSA also reported that 20.7 percent of the labor force is underutilized, highlighting the gap between available jobs and the skills of the workforce.
The mismatch is particularly evident in industries such as information technology, engineering and health care, where employers often cite a lack of technical expertise or soft skills among applicants.
