The United Nations in the Philippines, through a Joint Programme supported by the Joint SDG Fund and implemented by the ILO, UNDP, and UNICEF, recently held a series of regional consultations to help shape the Global Accelerator (GA) Roadmap on Decent Jobs and Social Protection for Just Transitions. These consultations took place from June 10 to 24 in Clark, Cebu, and General Santos City, and brought together government officials, workers, employers, and representatives from sectors such as construction, transportation, and informal work.
The dialogues focused on identifying key challenges related to decent work, climate change, and just transition. Participants discussed the need for inclusive reforms to address labour market gaps and emphasized innovative solutions, sharing best practices and recommendations to support job creation and social protection systems. Special attention was given to the vulnerabilities of informal workers who often lack formal contracts or union representation.
Officials, including CDA Region III Director Marietta Hwang and SSS Region III VP Vilma Agapito, highlighted the urgency of inclusive insurance and protection for informal workers. Testimonies from workers underscored how decent work and social protection are essential for family livelihood and income stability. In General Santos City, DOLE Region XII Director Joel M. Gonzales stressed that employment facilitation, worker protection, sectoral transformation, and support during transitions must be core components of the GA roadmap.
Concerns were also raised about the impact of modernization plans on small transport cooperatives, prompting calls for more comprehensive social protection. There was also strong advocacy for family-friendly and gender-inclusive policies to enhance resilience and sustainability in employment, with DepDev Region VII Director Jennifer C. Bretaña reinforcing that social protection is vital to making jobs resilient and meaningful.
The identified challenges and insights from the transport and construction sectors will directly feed into the GA Roadmap and the national Trabaho Para sa Bayan Plan. A national validation workshop will consolidate these outcomes later this month.
As a GA pathfinder country since March 2024, the Philippines benefits from technical and financial support under the UN Joint Programme, which aligns with national efforts like the Trabaho Para sa Bayan Act. The initiative is part of the broader strategy led by UN Resident Coordinators and supported by multiple international partners, including EU member states and private sector contributors, aiming to drive sustainable development and inclusive growth in line with the SDGs by 2030.
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