Construction work continues to be the most in-demand job in Ilocos Norte due to the “Build Better More” infrastructure program of the national government and expansion projects of private companies.

Janelyn Martin, DOLE Ilocos Norte Field Office Officer-in-Charge, reported on Tuesday that based on the latest Labor Force Survey of the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA), construction companies need more skilled construction workers, including masons, carpenters, electricians, welders, linemen, scaffolders, engineers, laborers, and heavy equipment operators.

“With a labor force participation rate of 64.2 percent or 2.39 million Filipinos, 9 out of 10 are employed,” Martin said in a phone interview.

He said DOLE has partnered with the provincial government of Ilocos Norte and the Technical Education Skills and Development Authority (TESDA) to address the needs of the job market.

Socorro Galanto, TESDA-Ilocos Norte Director, said in a separate interview that enrollment is ongoing for technical-vocational education and training (TVET) courses, particularly those related to construction and agri-tourism sector, among the key employment generators in the region.

“We have an existing agreement with employers to prioritize hiring our locals. Right now, we are happy that the employability of our TVET graduates is at 71.2 percent,” she said.

While enhancing the capability of trainers, TESDA-Ilocos Norte also offers community-based training programs designed to assist local government units, non-government organizations, peoples’ organizations, and other agencies to help the poor and marginalized workers acquire new skills for in-demand, hard-to-fill, and emerging occupations.

In Laoag City, a giant mall chain is set to open in the latter part of the year.

To boost the tourism sector, the Marcos administration has also funded road improvements, upgrading of the Laoag international airport and the construction of a transportation hub in Barangay 7-A in this city.

A low-cost housing project under the national government’s Pambansang Pabahay para sa Pilipino Program is also being constructed in Barangay 31 Talingan, comprised of a total of 4,600 units spread across 46 five-story buildings, with each floor accommodating 20 units. (PNA)