SPOTTED: 1 in every 4 PH job vacancies unfilled

A presentation of Prof. Alving Ang, an Economics professor in University of Santo Tomas (UST), during a recently held economic and sustainability oriented forum revealed that 25% or 1 in every 4 jobs in the Philippines cannot be filled due to competency issues.

Most of these competency-related unfilled vacancies are found in Metro Manila at 80% of total vacant positions contributed by the quality of the graduates who enter the labor force.

Ang further discussed how the Philippines can sustain its phenomenal 6.6% growth in 2012 given the rising underemployment rate, which he attributed to competency issues hounding elementary and high school teachers.

The top 12 jobs that have remained unfilled in one year nationwide are:

1. Transport and Communications Specialist
2. Mechanical engineers
3. Doctors
4. Production and operation managers
5. Accountants and auditors
6. Human Resources managers
7. Production supervisors
8. Geologists
9. Electrical engineers
10. Electronics and Communications engineers
11. Chemical engineers
12. Pharmacists

The list of hard-to-fill jobs in Metro Manila is as follows:

1. Systems Analysts
2. Accountants
3. Electrical engineers
4. Civil engineers
5. Mechanical engineers
6. Computer programmers
7. Human Resources managers
8. Medical technologists
9. Architects
10. Industrial engineers
11. Geologists

JOBS Alert: Google Philippines vacancies

With the recent surprise of Google launching its office int the Philippines, many graduating students and unemployed people all have one question. What jobs will be available in Google Philippines?

As of the moment, only one particular Google Philippines job has been posted. Check it out below if you're qualified. If you're up to the challenge, it's best that you act now! Good luck with your career in Google! Deym, there's definitely an exciting environment waiting for the best of the best applicants.

Account Strategist: 

Job Details
Team or Role: Sales Account Management
Work Schedule: Full time
Date Posted:Jan 24, 2013
Job Location(s): Manila, Metro Manila, Philippines
Apply now!

There's more to come; just keep on visiting Google PH's page! The office of Google Philippines is located at Unit 308, Building B, The Plaza @ Northgate Cyberzone, Filinvest Corporate City, Alabang.

Repost: Ranks of poor workers rising in Philippines - while dwindling in China, Vietnam

MANILA - Poor workers in other Asian countries are escaping poverty with greater success than their counterparts in the Philippines, according to the National Statistical Coordination Board.

"It is really not enough that we provide jobs to Filipinos, but more importantly, these should be quality jobs to ensure that they have enough income to eventually move out of poverty. Ang hirap naman na nagtatrabaho ka na nga, tapos mahirap ka pa rin!" said Jose Ramon G. Albert, NSCB secretary general.

According to Albert, the proportion of employed Filipinos living on less than $1 per day stood at 27.2 percent in 2006, higher than the 18.7 percent in 2003. In 1991, the country's working poor comprised 37.1 percent of the population.

The Philippines has more poor workers than Vietnam, where 20.4 percent were considered in the same situation in 2006, down from 22.7 percent in 2004 and 71.5 percent in 1995. China’s working poor comprised 73.1 percent of the population in 1992, then went down to 18.3 percent in 2005. 

"In both these countries, the share of employed persons in agriculture, forestry, and hunting has been decreasing while the share of those in manufacturing has been increasing. In other words, the poor (from agriculture) managed to exit from poverty by getting better employment," Albert said, referring to the situations in Vietnam and China.

The Philippine manufacturing sector has suffered a declining share of total employment, with the services sector taking up the slack, Albert said.

Where are the Filipino working poor employed? According to Albert, poor Filipinos were still working in agriculture, forestry and hunting as of 2006 and 2009.

"Our country’s poor, largely in the agriculture sector, need to improve their incomes, perhaps by getting non-farm incomes," Albert said, adding that 59.3 percent of the working poor had finished only primary school at the most. 

"However, we would still think that they could get absorbed into manufacturing which may give them better wages, or, get engaged in trade," Albert said.

The NSCB chief said the Philippines’ unemployment rate of 7 percent in 2011 is the highest among neighboring countries: Thailand, 0.7 percent; Vietnam, 2 percent; Malaysia, 3.1 percent; China, 4.1 percent; and Indonesia, 6.6 percent.

"Further, there is a remarkable transition of employment structure among the six Asian countries above from agriculture sector to manufacturing and other sectors between 1994 and 2011," Albert said. 

He said poverty incidence in Vietnam went down to 16.9 percent in 2008 from 63.7 percent in 1993, while China's slid to 13.1 percent in 2008 from 60.2 percent in 1990.

"Specifically, the poor are concerned about looking for jobs (if they don’t have jobs) or better paying ones (if they do). They want higher income, and certainly, they look forward to lower prices of commodities to improve their living conditions. The government recognizes this, and has thus decide to focus its development thrust for 2011-2016 on inclusive growth, characterized by sustained high growth, mass employment, and poverty reduction. This includes the promotion of full employment and decent work for all," Albert said.

"However, this thrust of ‘development for all’ continues to be a big challenge. Despite socioeconomic gains and positive growth in the Philippines’ gross domestic product, the headcount poverty rate and other indicators of poverty have almost remained unchanged for almost a decade – poverty incidence among the Filipino population ranged between 24.9 to 26.5 percent during the 2006 to 2009 period," he added.

The Philippine economic growth averaged 4.7 percent since 2000. In the first half of this year, the economy grew by 6.1 percent, at the high end of the government's 5-6 percent full-year target.

Socioeconomic Planning Secretary Arsenio Baliscan had said the "big challenge" for the Philippines is to address the quality issue because underemployment has remained “quite high.”

"The manufacturing sector really has to be revived because that's where a lot of quality employment [can be created]," he said.

Article Source: Darwin G. Amojelar, InterAksyon

Holiday Pay Rules for October, November 2012

The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) has announced its pay rules for the following holidays this October and November:

• October 26, FRI (regular holiday)
• November 1, THURS (special non-working day)
• November 2, FRI (special non-working day)
• November 30, FRI (regular holiday)

"Pursuant to Proclamation Nos. 295 and 488 issued by President Benigno S. Aquino III on November 24, 2011 and October 9, 2012, respectively, the following rules for pay on regular holidays on October 26 and November 30 and special days on November 1 and 2, 2012 shall apply," DOLE Secretary Rosalinda Dimapilis-Baldoz said upon issuance of Labor Advisory No. 3.

A. Regular Holidays: October 26 and November 30, 2012

1. If the employee did not work, he/she shall be paid 100% of his/her salary for that day [Daily Rate + COLA] x 100%;
2. If the employee worked, he/she shall be paid 200% of his/her regular salary for that day for the first eight hours [Daily Rate + COLA] x 200%;
3. If the employee worked in excess of eight hours (overtime work) he/she shall be paid an additional 30% of his/her hourly rate on said day [Hourly Rate x 200% x130% x Number of hours worked];
4. If the employee worked during a regular holiday that also falls on his/her rest day, he/she shall be paid an additional 30% of his/her daily rate of 200% [(Daily Rate + COLA) x 200%] + [30% Daily Rate x 200%; and
5. If the employee worked in excess of eight hours (overtime work) during a regular holiday that also falls on his/her rest day, he/she shall be paid an additional 30% of his/her hourly rate on said day(Hourly Rate x 200% x 130% x Number of hours worked).

B. Special (Non-working) Days: November 1 and 2, 2012

1. If the employee did not work, the “no work, no pay” principle shall apply unless there is a favorable company policy, practice or collective bargaining agreement (CBA) granting payment on a special day;
2. If the employee worked, he/she shall be paid an additional 30% of hi/her daily rate on the first eight hours of work (Daily Rate 130%);
3. If the employee worked in excess of eight hours (overtime work) he/she shall be paid an additional 30% of his/her hourly rate on said day (Hourly Rate x 130% x 130 % x Number of hours worked);
4. If the employee worked during a special day that also falls on his/her rest day, he/she shall be paid an additional 50% of his/her daily rate on the first eight hours of work (Daily Rate x 150%); and
5. If the employee worked in excess of eight hours (overtime work) during a special day that also falls on his/her rest day, he/she shall be paid an additional 30% of his/her hourly rate on said day(Hourly Rate x 150% x 130% x Number of hours worked).

Philippines Statistics Overview - Population Census, Labor and Employment, Family Income, Education (Literacy Rate), Consumer Price Index, Establishments

Yesterday, I was able to grab a copy of the latest NSO-NCR's Fact Sheet No. 3 Series 2012, NSO's most requested statistical data about the Philippines. 

I am sharing with you the updated information about the Philippines especially its population, private building construction, BMDs (births, marriages and deaths), labor and employment, family income and expenditure, education (literacy rate), consumer prices, and business and industry.

Recruitment agencies should ensure OFWs know the terms of their contracts

The Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA) reminded recruitment firms about their role in setting work contracts and other travel requirements of Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs), emphasizing that travel and employment documents of the OFW hired at least one week prior departure.

The reason for such is for the OFWs to be given enough time to read, understand and review the contracts which they have signed. OFWs are obliged to read and  fully understand what are written in their  employment contacts before accepting a job offer and signing it.

The OFWs can also request for adjustments in case discrepancies or errors need to be corrected.

Job Fairs Schedules and Venues (October to December 2012)

The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) has announced the schedules for different job fairs that will take place nationwide from October to December 2012. The following are listed down as actual dates and venues of the planned regional job fairs.

NCR

October 1: LRPESO, Marikina City; PESO Office, Taguig City Hall;
October 3: Brgy. Lower Bicutan, Taguig City;
October 5: LRPESO, Marikina City; different barangays, Muntinlupa City;
October 6: South Station II, Muntinlupa City;
October 8: LRPESO, Marikina City;
October 10: St. Joseph Parish, Taguig City;
October 11: Ampitheater, Malabon City;
October 12: RPESO, Marikina City; different barangays, Muntinlupa City; PESO Office, Pasay City Hall;
October 13:South Station II, Muntinlupa City;
October 15: LRPESO, Marikina City; PESO Office, Taguig City Hall; October 17—Coop SMMPC, Taguig City;
October 19: LRPESO, Marikina City; different barangays, Muntinlupa City; City Hall, Las Piñas City;
October 20: South Station II, Muntinlupa City;
October 22: LRPESO, Marikina City; PESO Office, Taguig City Hall;
October 24: Our Lady of the Poor Parish, Western Bicutan, Taguig City;
October 25: Ampitheater, Malabon City;
October 26: LRPESO, Marikina City; different barangays, Muntinlupa City; PESO Office, Pasay City Hall;
October 27: Brgy. Sta. Monica, Quezon City; South Station II, Muntinlupa City;
October 29: LRPESO, Marikina City; PESO Office, Taguig City Hall;

October 31: Brgy. North Daang Hari, Taguig City;
November 2: LRPESO, Marikina City; South Station II, Muntinlupa City;
November 3: different barangays, Muntinlupa City;
November 5: LRPESO, Marikina City; PESO Office, Taguig City Hall;
November 7: lCity Hall, Caloocan City; Barangay Job Fair by PESO Taguig City;
November 8: SM Valenzuela Multi-Purpose Hall, Valenzuela City; Ampitheater, Malabon City;
November 9: LRPESO, Marikina City; PESO Office, Makati City Hall; South Station II, Muntinlupa City; PESO Office, Pasay City Hall;
November 10: different barangays, Muntinlupa City;
November 12: LRPESO, Marikina City; PESO Office, Taguig City Hall;
November 14: Caloocan City Hall; Barangay Job Fair by PESO Taguig City;
November 16: LRPESO, Marikina City; South Station II, Muntinlupa City; City Hall, Las Piñas City;
November 17: different barangays, Muntinlupa City;
November 19: LRPESO, Marikina City; PESO Office, Taguig City;
November 21: Barangay Job Fair by PESO Taguig City;
November 23: LRPESO, Marikina City; South Station II, Muntinlupa City;
November 24: different barangays, Muntinlupa City;
November 26: LRPESO, Marikina City; PESO Office, Taguig City Hall;
November 28: Barangay Job Fair by PESO Taguig City;
November 29: Ampitheater, Malabon City;
November 30: LRPESO, Marikina City; South Station II, Muntinlupa City;

December 3: LRPESO, Marikina City; PESO Office, Pasay City Hall; PESO Office, Taguig City Hall;
December 5: Barangay Job Fair by PESO Taguig City;
December 7: LRPESO, Marikina City;
December 10: LRPESO, Marikina City; PESO Office, Taguig City Hall;
December 12: Barangay Job Fair by PESO Taguig City;
December 14: LRPESO, Marikina City;
December 17: PESO Office, Taguig City Hall; LRPESO, Marikina City;
December 19: Barangay Job Fair by PESO Taguig City;
December 21: LRPESO, Marikina City; City Hall, Las Piñas City;

REGION 1

October 12 (tentative): Narciso Ramos Gymnasium, Lingayen, Pangasinan;
October 18: LGU San Fabian Grounds, San Fabian, Pangasinan;

November 9: DMMSU-MLUC San Fernando City, La Union;
November 12: Mangaldan Town Plaza, Pangasinan;
November 16: LGU, Sta. Barbara, Pangasinan;

REGION 2

October: St. Mary’s University Handog Kabataan; Nueva Vizcaya State University, Bayombong, Nueva Vizcaya;

REGION 3

October 1: Rizal Triangle Multi-Purpose Covered Court, Olongapo City;
October 5: NEUST Main Campus, Cabanatuan City; 

October  (2nd week): PESO Office, Municipal Hall, San Simon, Pampanga; Capitol Ground, Baler, Aurora; PESO Office, Municipal Hall, San Simon, Pampanga;

November (1st week): Don Honorio Ventura Technological State University, Bacolor, Pampanga; November (2nd week): PESO Office, Municipal Hall, Bacolor, Pampanga;
November (3rd week): PESO Office, Municipal Hall, Paniqui, Tarlac;

December 8: Cabanatuan City; Province of Pampanga;
December (1st Saturday): PESO Office, Municipal Hall, Sta. Rita, Pampanga;
December (2nd week): SM Clark, Clark Special Economic Zone;
December 19: Rizal Multi-Purpose Covered Court, Olongapo City;
December: PESO Office, Municipal Hall, Camiling, Tarlac; PESO Office, Municipal Hall, Capas, Tarlac; PESO Office, City Hall, Tarlac City; Science City of Muñoz; PESO Office, Municipal Hall, Guagua, Pampanga;

REGION 4A

October (tentative): Sta. Lucia East Grand Mall, Cainta,Rizal; Tanay Plaza, Tanay, Rizal;
November (tentative): Yñares Plaza, Binangonan, Rizal;

REGION 4B

October: Municipal Hall, Gloria, Oriental Mindoro;
November: Provincial Capitol, Calapan City, Oriental Mindoro;
December: City Hall of Calapan City;

REGION 6

October: PESO Office, City Hall, Iloilo City;
November: San Carlos City Covered Court, San Carlos City, Negros Occidental;
December: PESO Office, City Hall, Iloilo City;

REGION 7

October 6: Sports Complex, Mandaue City;
October 7: Sports Complex, Dalaguete, Cebu;
October 21: Cebu International Convention Center, Mandaue City;
October 25: Island City Mall, Tagbilaran City, Bohol;
October (third week): Negros Oriental Convention Cetner, Dumaguete City, Negros Oriental;

November 10: Abellana National School, Cebu City; Sports Complex, Asturias, Cebu; Robinson’s Place, Dumaguete City;
November 17: Panfil B. Frasco Sports Complex-Kai Gym, Liloan, Cebu;
November 24: Durano Sports Center, Sogod, Cebu;

December 2: Cebu International Convention Center, Mandaue City;
December 10: BQ Mall, Tagbilaran City, Bohol;
December 15: Sports Complex, Mandaue City;

REGION 8

October 12: Naval State University, Naval, Biliran;
October 13: Naval State University, Naval, Biliran;
October 20: Ormoc Superdome;

November 15: Cabucgayan Terminal, Cabucgayan, Biliran;

REGION 9

October 12: Zamboanga City;
October 16: Pagadian, Zamboanga del Sur;
December 8: Zamboanga City;

REGION 10

October 24: City Gym, Oroquieta City;
October 25: City Gym, Oroquieta City;

November 4: PCTC, Capitol Compound, Oroquieta City;
November 30: City Tourism Hall, City Hall, Cagayan de Oro City;

REGION 11

November 12: Gaisano Mall of Tagum, Tagum City;
November 2012: Pantukan, Comval Province;

REGION 12

October 6: New City Hall, Lobby of Koronadal, Koronadal City; Municipal Hall Lobby of Tacurong City;

November 7: Municipal Gymnasium of Lake Sebu, South Cotabato;
November 2012: Municipal Social Center of Tulunan, North Cotabato; Municipal Hall of Midsayap, North Cotabato;

December 14: Protech Center, Alunan Ave., Koronadal City;
December 15: Municipal Gymnasium of Sto. Niño, South Cotabato;

CAR

 
October 18: Luna, Apayao;
November: Provincial Plaza, Benguet Provincial Capitol, La Trinidad, Benguet; and

CARAGA REGION

October 12: Father Saturnino Urlos University Gymnasium, Butuan City;
October 25: City Hall, Cabadbaran City, Agusan del Norte;
October 26: City Hall, Cabadbaran City, Agusan del Norte; and;

November 17: Butuan City Hall job fair sponsored ABS-CBN and DOLE Agusan del Norte Field Office.

Learn English via Skype

Do you need an English tutor to improve your English speaking and writing skills?

The Spotlight Philippines blog is calling on all foreign (Japanese, Korean, etc) and Filipino nationals who want to learn English by means of conversation to send an email to spotlightphilippines@yahoo.com.ph. 

If chosen, you will be accommodated by our reserved English tutor here and will be given the chance to talk and learn English through Skype. The online English conversation and tutorial will be subjected to cheaper hourly rate. The English learning experience will depend entirely on the availability of the person being taught, but will only take place between 8AM and 4PM.

Moreover, once your English writing skills are improved, you will have the chance to be invited to write here in Spotlight Philippines!

If interested to learn Engish, contact Leigh by messaging him through spotlightphilippines@yahoo.com.ph. It's going to be fun!

POEA, OWWA open 17 OFW processing centers

17 one-stop processing centers (OSPCs) will be opened nationwide to cater to the OFWs (Overseas Filipino Workers) who have to attend to their requirements faster and more conveniently, the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) announced.

These include the following areas:

• Region 1: Zambrano Bldg., San Fernando, La Union
• Region 2: Regional Government Center, Carig Sur, Tuguegarao City 
• Region 3: Clark Special Economic Zone
• Region 4A: Chipeco Ave., Brgy Halang, Calamba City, Laguna 
• Region 6: 2nd Floor, Old City Hall Bldg., Luzurriaga St., Bacolod City, 
• Region 7: LDM Bldg., Legaspi cor., M. Cuenco Ave., Cebu City
• Region 10: 2/F Trinidad Bldg., Corales Yakapin St., Cagayan de Oro City 
• ARMM: POEA-ARMM ORG Compound, Gov. Gutierrez, Cotabato City 
• CARAGA Region: Nimfa Tiu Building, J. P. Rosales Avenue, Butuan City

OFWs can proceed to these OSPCs to avail of its services like processing of OWWA membership, inquiry (especially for about-to-leave OFWs), issuing of Overseas Employment Certificate by POEA, and other concerns.

Tacloban City: A Business Attraction

There will be an influx of business establishments to Tacloban now that it has been declared with public support as a Highly Urbanized City. 

This could be the primary reason why the city government plans to convert the Kanhuraw Convention Center into a one-stop-shop business center. Alongside it, Mayor Alfred Romualdez calls for a “fast-track business transactions to the city hall” by proposing the computerization of its operations.

He also added that some city government offices such as the City Assessor’s Office and the City Treasurer’s Office will have to be transferred to the business center. This means that all transactions related to the renewal of and the application for business permits will be done there.

According to the city mayor, the one-stop-shop will pave way for faster transactions and lesser hassle on part of the investors in applying for business permits. In this way, he concluded, Tacloban will have a business-friendly image.