With investments and new businesses, plus a whole lot of government support, come livelihood and employment.
This straightforward formula was successfully implemented in the City of Sto. Tomas, Batangas, leading to the creation of jobs and livelihood, punctuated by the city government’s job fairs and livelihood training programs.
In the words of Mayor Arth Jhun Aguilar Marasigan: “Let us continue to serve with dispatch and wholehearted concern, blessed by our warm Tomasino smiles. We are public servants. We render public service to all Tomasinos, without preference and political bias.”
Mayor AJAM highlighted the importance of the job fair in bridging the gap between the demand for workers by local companies and the employment needs of Sto. Tomas residents.
“A job fair is a natural bridge between business locators and our constituents. It helps companies hire professionals sourced from our home-grown talents. More importantly, it gives Tomasinos the chance to find decent jobs, with equitable compensation,” he said.
CASH-FOR-WORK
Since 2022, the city government has provided Cash-for-Work for some 500 beneficiaries.
Data from the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) reveal that the city has provided some P3.8 million Tulong Panghanapbuhay sa Ating Disadvantaged/Displaced worker (TUPAD).
TUPAD was funded with the support of Senators Loren Legarda, Risa Hontiveros, Anakalusugan Party-list, Rep. Ray Reyes, and then Rep. Ralph Recto. Some 754 Tomasinos in dire circumstances benefitted from these TUPAD funds.
The city government continued with its de-pidal food carts to augment the incomes of economically-challenged residents.
FOOD PRODUCTS EXHIBIT
From June 5-18, an assorted selection of local food—produced by the Entrepreneurs of the City of Sto. Tomas Association Inc. (Likhang Tomasino)—was displayed and sold during the Food Products Exhibit at SM City Sto. Tomas Ground Floor Area.
With the support of the City of Sto. Tomas City Livelihood and Entrepreneurship Development, in cooperation with SM City Sto. Tomas (SM FOR MSME’S PROJECT), the exhibition celebrated local food and provided livelihood opportunities for local food entrepreneurs.
4Ps LIVELIHOOD TRAINING
Through the auspices of the Public Employment Service Office (PESO), the city government gave a two-step training 25 4Ps beneficiaries.
The first step involved training in Occupational Safety and Health (OSH), conducted in coordination with the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE).
The OSH training equipped the 4Ps participants with the proper safety measures, essential when they proceed to the second training: the manufacture of dishwashing liquid.
Coordinated with the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA), the Fabcon and Dishwashing Liquid Making Training equipped the participants with knowhow in the safe preparation and selling of dish washing liquid and fabric conditioner.
Toward the last quarter of the year, the city government provided jobs for 7,000 Tomasinos, most of which are high school graduates that reside in other cities.
As explained by Mayor AJAM, the City of Sto. Tomas, Batangas placed emphasis on its constituents, whether here or abroad or working in the city or other cities.
For underprivileged Tomasino students, the city government earmarked a P500,000 fund from its localized Special Program for Employment of Students (SPES). This allowed the city to create jobs for Tomasino youths.
Similarly, some 91 Eco-Aides in 30 barangays and 11 eco-guides have been hired by the city government.
FUTURE PLANS
With the entry of SNR mall in the city’s business landscape and retail market, the city government has mandated that 70% of SNR employees be Tomasinos.
This is the result of a resolution passed by the Sangguniang Panglungsod, approved by Mayor AJAM, and welcomed by SNR management.
The city government is also set to hire 450 personnel from 30 barangays for its Clean Up of Waterways campaign.
