MINDANAO poverty incidence rate stands at 25.6%, the highest among the country’s three island groups. The region also faces socio-economic challenges, such as low productivity and high work informality.
To address these issues, the Department of Labor and Employment XI, in partnership with the Regional Tripartite Wages and Productivity Board Xl, led the signing of the memorandum of understanding with the Department of Tourism Xl, Department of Trade and Industry Xl, Technical Education and Skills Development Authority Xl, Philippine Fiber Industry Development Authority Xl, and Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Xl for the Productivity Initiatives for Mindanao Project last May 6 at the Ritz Hotel in Davao City.
The Productivity Initiatives for Mindanao is a program that aims to craft a project portfolio to improve the productivity of workers and enterprises in Mindanao and promote inclusive growth.
As part of this initiative, it aims to deliver a package of assistance to workers and enterprises through convergence with its partner agencies to complement the provision of programs under the first track (Social Protection, Employment and Productivity Improvement for Workers) and second track (Productivity Improvement for Enterprises), which can also lead to improved regional productivity.
“With this collaboration, we can now align the programs of DOLE with partner agencies, and recalibrate ourselves in addressing issues not just in Region Xl but in the entire Mindanao in relation to our focus on making our workers and enterprises more productive,” DOLE XI regional director Atty. Randolf C. Pensoy said.
The convergence of the various national government agencies aims to generate meaningful and productive employment opportunities that will promote a better quality of life for Filipinos. The agencies have committed through the signing of the MOA to align their respective roles toward achieving the shared objectives of inclusive growth, poverty reduction, and job creation, especially for Davao Region.
“We believe in the power of convergence. The coming together of various agencies that have the mandate and resources to support several identified communities can surely create a positive and greater impact on their development,” said DOT Xl regional director Tan.
Signatories of the said MOA include DTI XI regional director Romeo L. Castanaga, TESDA XI regional director Ashary A. Banto, PFIDA XI regional director Irma R. Rodis, BFAR XI regional director Really B. Garcia, DOT XI regional director Tan and DOLE XI regional director Atty. Pensoy.
