ADB, Philippines extend partnership with new loan

In 2011, the Philippine government, through the DOLE, requested assistance from Asian Development Bank (ADB) to explore innovative ways to improve government employment facilitation systems. Together, DOLE and ADB crafted interventions aimed at supporting policy development, regulatory reviews, and capacity development at PESOs, which act as the LGUs’ frontline for employment information and services.

Part of ADB’s assistance then was to help design and implement the JobStart pilot project to assist the school-to-work transition of at-risk youths—those who are out of school, unemployed, and not getting any training.

From four PESOs or LGUs implementing the JobStart pilot program in 2014, there are now 35 LGUs administering the program nationwide. ADB and the Government of Canada helped fund the pilot program.

“Young people struggling to find jobs after they leave school is still a persistent problem in the Philippines. Our studies show it can take the average Filipino youth up to four years to find a wage job,” said ADB Country Director for the Philippines Mr. Kelly Bird.

“Creating wage jobs for the youth is critical to helping reduce poverty and income inequality in the country. We are committed to continuing ADB’s strong partnership with DOLE in youth employment programs,” he said.