The chairperson of the House Labor and Employment Committee on Thursday said the government can step in to create “new Rizals for the new generation” by making skills development more accessible to the youth.

In commemorating the death anniversary of national hero Dr. Jose Rizal on Dec. 30, Rizal 4th District Rep. Fidel Nograles said the government should provide accessible avenues for the youth to equip themselves with extra training and skills to improve themselves and their chances of being hired amid an increasingly competitive labor market.

“As we commemorate Rizal Day, I hope we will be reminded of the power of education, and how it can help our youth tackle the challenges of the future,” Nograles said.

He said the national hero’s education was “critical” in his empowerment.

“If we want more of our youth to be like Rizal, we must provide the opportunities for them to be able to harness their skills and discover new ones,” Nograles said.

He underscored the need to make the Filipino youth “future-ready” amid challenges posed by the climate crisis and artificial intelligence on employment trends.

“Kailangang handa ang kabataan hindi lang sa mga hamon ng kasalukuyan, kundi pati sa hinaharap. Kaya mahalaga na tulungan sila ng pamahalaan na maging ‘future-proof’ ang mga kaalaman at kahusayan nila (It is critical for today’s youth to be prepared for both current and future challenges. Hence, it is critical for the government to ensure that the youth’s knowledge and skills are future-proofed),” he added.

He said partnerships should be established between the government and private institutions to enable the youth to acquire skills in demand in the labor market.

December 30 is declared a regular holiday under Proclamation 90. (PNA)

Photo credit: TESDA Official Website