NWPC presented the proposed concept and design of the Mindanao Productivity Project Portfolio during the DOLE Regional Operations Cluster (ROC) Planning Exercise on January 29-31, 2024 at the Occupational Safety and Health Center in Quezon City.
The Mindanao Productivity Project seeks to identify strategic approaches to address issues on low productivity, high informality and high poverty incidence in Mindanao.
Based on 2023 data from the Philippine Statistics Authority, the poverty incidence rate in Mindanao stands at 25.6%, the highest among the three island groups.
In 2022, the labor productivity at constant 2018 prices in the region (including BARMM) ranged from P170,148 (BARMM) to P427,559 (Davao Region), with growth rate ranging from -19.3% (BARMM) to 6.7% (Zamboanga Peninsula).
To help address these socio-economic challenges, the Mindanao Productivity Project Portfolio will be implemented to improve the productivity of workers and enterprises and to promote inclusive growth in Mindanao. The project portfolio offers a three-track approach.
Track 1 involves interventions on social protection, employment and productivity improvement of workers. Track 2 involves interventions on social protection and productivity improvement of enterprises. Track 3 involves implementation of convergence programs that complement Tracks 1 and 2 in collaboration with other government agencies, labor and employer organizations.
Interventions shall be based on the conduct of assessment on labor productivity, gross regional domestic product, commitments under the Regional Development Plans and other development priorities of the five regions in Mindanao.
DOLE Regional Offices in Mindanao will identify key industries for productivity interventions based on assessments.
They will work with government agencies, LGUs, labor groups, and employers to deliver programs such as livelihood support, employment facilitation, skills development, productivity training, and technical assistance.
DOLE Regional Offices in Luzon and Visayas are also expected to develop their respective productivity project portfolios that will help influence productivity growth and poverty reduction in the regions.