Press Release
December 7, 2015

Use CCT Funds For Basic Infra Needed To Create More Jobs--Marcos

Senator Ferdinand "Bongbong" R. Marcos, Jr. today said the government should rethink the Conditional Cash Transfer program, adding the money devoted for it may be better spent on basic infrastructures that could generate more jobs and spread the benefits of economic growth to more people.

Speaking at the "Kapihan sa Manila Hotel" media forum, Marcos noted that while the government has been trumpeting a "remarkable" growth rate of our economy, its benefit is hardly felt by the majority of our people.

"You cannot add jobs if the economy is not growing. Now we hear that we are growing at a remarkable rate, but it is not felt by ordinary people. It is felt by big corporations, it is felt by rich people," Marcos clarified.

"There is a very serious failure in the policies for the distribution of wealth," he added.

Marcos said it may be time for the government to rethink its policy on the CCT because despite spending P65 billion a year on the program, there were no significant improvements in the poverty rate, literacy rate and mortality rate in the country.

"We have probably arrived at a point of diminishing returns. Maybe that money can be used for schools, for hospitals, for roads, for bridges, for power plants, for the improvement of the internet, a new airport, more ports--all of these things are doable," Marcos assessed.

Marcos reiterated that these basic infrastructures are essential in spurring economic growth and creating more jobs for the poor.

To create more jobs, Marcos also said the government should likewise provide easier credit facilities to small and medium-sized enterprises which is one of the main drivers of the country's economic growth. He noted that around 90 percent of our work force is in the private sector.

Corollary, Marcos suggested that the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) should redirect their courses whereby our workers will be able to compete with their counterparts in the forthcoming ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations) integration.

The Senator earlier said that if he wins as Vice President in the 2016 elections and given the choice, he would like to handle the portfolio of the Department of Labor and Employment.

"I believe that without changing any policies, without passing any new laws, we can improve the performance of the DOLE when it comes to protecting our workers, preparing our workforce for employment in the private sector, and in protecting and supporting our OFWs," Marcos opined.

Marcos in the same forum called for the implementation of laws against contractualization, "Our laws provide for protections and benefits for our workers and we must abide by those rights and privileges that we have accorded to our workers," Marcos concluded.

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