By Dominique Gabriel G. Bañaga

A labor rights group leader is hoping for better training for job seekers if the investment pledges from foreign investors in President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos, Jr.’s state visits in the past few months are realized.

In an interview on Bombo Radyo-Bacolod, rights group leader Wennie Sancho pointed out that the pledges are pegged at millions, even billions of pesos.

However, Sancho pointed out that the country’s education system may need to adapt to new industries and technology that will come in.

The government should also look into addressing high inflation in the country, which further accelerated to 8.7 percent in January 2023, the highest annual rate recorded since November 2008, as many workers may lose their jobs if it is not controlled, Sancho said.

Since taking office last year, Marcos has already made a total of nine official overseas trips to convince foreign investors to open businesses in the Philippines, which will ultimately give way to additional jobs for Filipinos.

Bacolod City Mayor Alfredo Benitez also joined some of Marcos’ official state visits as part of the country’s delegation, such as in China last month, wherein he managed to attract the attention of a multi-billion Chinese company to establish an electric vehicle manufacturing plant in the city.

Last week, the Jiangsu Fengchuen New Energy Power Technology Co. Ltd. submitted a formal proposal.

“The city council is studying the formal proposal. I would like to see proof of concept. Once proven beneficial to our stakeholders, especially to our operators, then we can probably consider helping out to make the program a reality,” Benitez said.

Last month, Benitez said he wants investments which will create more jobs in Bacolod.

He added that his visit to China was an eye opener because a lot of international companies are looking to invest in the Philippines./With a report from PNA / DGB, WDJ