Job-creation and livelihood programs: Boon to economy

Renato Tibon . 

“A leader is someone who helps improve the lives of other people or improve the system they live under.” (Sam Houston)

CONGRESSMAN Rufus B. Rodriguez, in his uninterrupted nine years of service as Cagayan de Oro’s representative from 2007-2016, has been largely known for the many infrastructure achievements done for the City especially in District 2. Even before his terms of office, the good congressman and his family have likewise been acknowledged for generosity and accessibility by those residing around their ancestral home and environs. “Mr. Performance” as he is famously named, not many in the District knew of the sheer number of bills and national laws he authored and passed in Congress especially in the fields of health, education, employment, housing, agriculture, environment and tourism. Among these laws enacted during his tenure are the following employment and livelihoodelated programs which are now implemented nation-wide.

RA 10644 – An Act promoting job generation and inclusive growth through the development of micro, small and medium enterprises. This law, also known as Go Negosyo Act was enacted to strengthen Micro, Small and Medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) to “facilitate local job creation, production and trade in the country” by establishing Negosyo Centers in every province, city and municipality.

RA 10693 – An Act strengthening non-government organizations engaged in microfinance operations for the poor. Known as the “Microfinance NGOs Act”, this law recognizes the indispensable role of NGOs in fostering local enterprise development and social entrepreneurship, including the provision of microfinance services to microenterprises. In pursuance of this policy, the State shall support and work in partnership with qualified NGOs in promoting financially inclusive and pro-poor financial and credit policies and mechanisms such as microfinance and its allied services. This law will effectively compete with, and hopefully discourage the usurious micro-lending activities of some foreigners who prey on the gullibility and extreme need of small-time retailers especially in our public markets. 

RA 10679 – An Act promoting entrepreneurship and financial education among Filipino youth. This law, also known as “Youth Entrepreneurship Act”, aims to promote the sustained development of young Filipinos whose aptitude and skills in the field of finance and entrepreneurship are encouraged and honed through education and specialized training programs. “At a time when society’s biggest issue is youth unemployment, businesses and governments must work together to help young people develop an entrepreneurial mindset.” (A quote from an Ernst & Young report called “Avoiding a lost Generation, 2013)

RA 10911 – An Act prohibiting discrimination against any individual in employment on account of age and providing penalties therefor. Also known as “Anti-Age Discrimination in Employment Act”, this law prohibits discrimination against any individual in employment on account of age. While some employers still hire based on company requirements without regard to age, it is still a common practice for many to employ younger applicants. We need not worry anymore because this legislative measure has lapsed into law on July 21, 2016.

Aside from these laws, he was able to acquire funding on many employment and livelihood projects, a mean feat not common to many representatives who were just content on automatic appropriations given by Congress. Consider these: Through his efforts, a total amount of P36.7 million was secured from the Department of Labor and Employment (Dole) with P12 million used to fund Workers’ Income Augmentation Program, P7.5 million for Special Program for the employment of students and P17.2 million for Tulong Pangkabuhayan for Displaced Workers (Tupad). Likewise, 12,300 families have benefited from livelihood projects funded by DSWD and Dole.

Congressman Rufus, with the coalition of CDP-Padayon candidates running for various positions in the city, seeks another term in the elections this year. Among his platforms, many of which were already started and bills filed and pending in Congress are the following: Health initiatives, Education, Youth, Culture and Sports, Employment and Livelihood, Dwelling, Environment, Tourism and Disaster risk Management, Traffic management, Infrastructure, Transparency and Accountability, Cleanliness and Waste management and Peace and Order programs.

We cannot gamble and squander our chances of sustainable development for the “City of Gold”, the “City of Golden Friendship” and the “Gateway to Mindanao” by opting for inexperienced, ill-motivated and incompetent candidates seeking positions which are clearly beyond their ken and capacity. Let’s go for “Mr. Performance” himself, Fighter sa Kongreso, Beterano sa Kongreso, Congressman Rufus B. Rodriguez.

(Renato Gica Tibon is a fellow of the Fellowship of the 300, an elite organization under Centrist Democracy Political Institute  [CDPI] with focus on political technocracy. He  holds both position as political action officer and program manager of the Institute. He is the former regional chairman for Region 10 and vice president for Mindanao of the Centrist Democratic Party of the Philippines [CDP].)