We speak, THEY listen

The biggest burden lies not on the graduates but on the government whose main purpose is to serve its people. Arroyo has promised to cater to the needs of the unemployed and to continue producing jobs for those who most need it.

Padilla said, “The graduates are the wealth of the Philippines, as what was taught to us in first grade. And as what was taught to us further is the need to take care of them.”

Thus, she said, the labor export policy of the government is flawed. Even as the dollar remittances of migrant workers are being used as a crutch by the ailing Philippine economy – mitigating the unemployment situation, propping up the foreign exchange reserves of the country, and fuelling consumption – migrants contribute more to other countries’ economies. Their productive labor and wealth-creating potential is not being maximized in the country. That is a reality the government has to face if it continues pushing its workers to seek jobs outside of the country.

The government has been putting forward recommendations to improve the employment situation in the country. Citing the fact that competition for available jobs here and abroad are getting increasingly stiffer, one solution being proposed by the government is to add one more year in college to strengthen and enhance the skills of graduates.

However, there are those who disagree with this solution. Padilla said, “Hindi kulang sa pag-aaral ang mga Pilipino. Kailangan lang ang suporta ng gobyerno” (Filipinos are not lacking in education. They just need support from the government.)(Bulatlat.com)

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