Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, April 7) — At least 5,510 workers in Subic have been hit by retrenchment and company closures during the COVID-19 pandemic, which has stretched to over a year now, according to the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority.
In a statement Wednesday, the SBMA said this count includes 3,910 in the manufacturing industry, 883 in construction, and 717 in shipbuilding and maritime-related projects.
It further detailed that of those displaced, 1,839 are residents of Zambales, while 899 are from Bataan.
But although overall employment in Subic is still seen to decline by almost 2.3% this year — or to 135,773 from 138,966 last year — due to the ongoing health crisis, the agency said new investment projects are expected to help the local economy recover.
According to SBMA Chairperson Wilma Eisma, they project that close to 4,000 new jobs will be generated in the area in the coming months.
The agency added it has opened a help desk for laid off workers in the Subic Bay Freeport Zone, which also covers other areas in Zambales and Bataan. The desk, located at the former Landbank office near the Freeport’s Rizal Gate, will assist those displaced in finding a means of livelihood or in developing skills to land a new job.
“With the SBMA Help Desk, we would have a database of profiles of displaced workers, and then we can endorse their application to companies needing manpower, or refer them to other agencies for skills training,” said Melvin Varias, manager of the agency’s Labor Department.
SBMA said those interested may fill out the profiling form that can be accessed through this link. They may also contact the following numbers for queries: 047-252-4273 or 4073.
