Some 4,000 jobs available for displaced Filipino workers

by Raymund Antonio, Manila Bulletin, 12 Sep 2020

Workers displaced by the coronavirus pandemic may look for new job opportunities at the free job posting platform created by the Office of the Vice President (OVP) and its private partner.

As of Saturday, Sept. 12, the OVP said that 3,944 job vacancies were available on Sikap.PH, a website developed by Elevatech for jobseekers and companies in need of workers.

Of this number, 2,893 were initiated by Vice President Leni Robredo’s office. These job openings were posted by 48 companies on the website since it was launched on September 10.

Robredo called the initiative “bayanihanapbuhay,” a portmanteau of the words “bayanihan (community spirit)” and “hanapbuhay (livelihood)” that seeks to help Filipinos who lost their jobs amid the crisis brought by COVID-19.

The goal was to set up an online platform where laid off Filipino workers both here and aboard can find jobs.

“We hope that, through this platform, they would have an easier time finding work opportunities,” Robredo said.

The vice president said interested job applicants can go directly to the website and sign up by choosing the “I’m a worker” option.

Robredo’s office called on more employers to join the initiative and sign onto the platform. Those interested to upload their job vacancies may send their details to bayanihanapbuhay@ovp.gov.ph.

Participating companies include EMS Services Philippines, Inc. (ESPI), D.M. Consunji, Inc., Lots’a Pizza, Concentrix, Empire East Land Holdings, AECOM Philippines, GET Philippines, McBride Corp., Omni Petroleum Corp, and Solarwinds Software Asia PTE LTD – Philippines Branch, among others.