PHL as Asean’s next automotive growth market means more jobs

Four groups at the forefront of the country’s car sector said on Tuesday that the Philippines is poised to be the next automotive growth market in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean), paving the way for more jobs for Filipinos.

The Philippine Automotive Competitiveness Council Inc. (Pacci), Chamber of Automotive Manufacturers of the Philippines Inc., Motor Vehicle Parts Manufacturing Association of the Philippines and Toyota Suppliers Club met and discussed with Labor Secretary Rosalinda Baldoz measures on pushing up the technical and educational levels of local workers to meet job demands of the automotive sector.

“Manufacturing is a major stimulus of economic activity because of its strong intersectoral linkages. This interdependence allows job creation in other high-output sectors linked [to] automotive manufacturing,” Michinobu Sugata, Pacci president, told Baldoz during the meeting.

Sugata said that compared to other sectors, manufacturing generates diversified employment, thus, it can help address unemployment through its capacity to absorb both the highly skilled and low-skilled segments of the labor force.

He and the three other sector leaders in the meeting informed Baldoz that with the country’s positive economic outlook and the right policy environment, the Philippines is poised to be the next automotive growth market in the Asean.

The regional bloc groups the Philippines, Brunei Darussalam, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam.

Citing employment opportunities that the automotive sector could offer, Baldoz said in a statement also on Tuesday that she would work with its leaders to realize the sector’s potential in creating more jobs.

“The Dole [Department of Labor and Employment] is of the same mind. The manufacturing sector is one of the main employment drivers in the country today and in the next eight to 10 years, as evidenced by the findings of Project JobsFit: Dole 2020 Vision,” Baldoz added.

She said that the automotive sector could be a good employment provider for the youth, especially graduates of technical-vocational courses.

Baldoz added that the department continues to hold dialogues with concerned parties on improving the business environment and the industrial climate, and satisfying manpower requirements of the automotive sector.

A study by the University of Asia and the Pacific’s Center for Research and Communication showed that the automotive sector employs over 83,000 workers. –Estrella Torres / Reporter, Businessmirror