Gov’t urged to create more jobs in provinces

A LAWMAKER urged the government and fellow representatives to create more jobs in rural provinces in order to combat poverty, as economic impacts from the ongoing conflict in the Middle East continue.

Rep. Nathaniel “Atty. Nat M.” Oducado of the 1Tahanan Partylist filed House Bill No. 8746 on March 24, 2026, to provide temporary jobs for poor families in rural areas.

“Many people in the provinces want to work but cannot find steady jobs, leaving families for cities and other countries without stable income,” Oducado said. “The conflict in the Middle East shows that we cannot always rely on overseas jobs to provide employment. We must create job opportunities here.”

HB 8746, entitled “Rural Employment Assistance Program Act,” creates the REAP program to give short-term work to qualified individuals for 45 to 90 days each year.

According to Oducado, rural poverty remains higher than in cities because many jobs depend on farming and fishing, which are often seasonal, low-paying, and easily affected by disasters and price changes.

“In many rural areas, poverty remains high and jobs are seasonal, so support like this is urgently needed,” Oducado emphasized. “HB 8746 ensures workers are paid at least 75 percent of the minimum wage and may receive basic insurance coverage.”

HB 8746 assigns the Department of Social Welfare and Development and local governments to run projects like farm support, road repair, and disaster preparedness work.

“This bill provides both immediate income and hope for a better future in rural communities,” Oducado said.