MANILA -- Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello III on Thursday moved ahead in pushing employment recovery by providing protection to the country's key economic drivers from COVID-19. 

Bello led the vaccination of construction and factory workers in the economic zone of Sta. Rosa, Laguna as part of the government's effort to help attain the One Million Jobs program of the private sector. 

A collaboration among the Employers Confederation of the Philippines (ECOP), the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) and other stakeholders from both the government and private sectors, the project aims to inoculate one million workers from the construction and manufacturing industries.

Bello said the two industries were chosen for the program being top contributors to economic growth.

"By helping them get the vaccines, our thrust for economic recovery could remain on track," Bello said.

The labor chief expressed optimism that the country's economic rehabilitation has gone stronger following the easing of restrictions and reopening of the labor market.

"With the lifting of harsh quarantine measures and the strategic implementation of the vaccination program, I'm confident that our country is healing fast," Bello said.

A total of 823 construction and factory workers from the Makati Development Corporation (MDC), other companies and local government units received AstraZeneca vaccines during the program held in the Nuvali site of the MDC ConQrete Inc.

Meanwhile, Bello called on all workers to get vaccinated as it is safe and helpful for the economy.

"Let's all support the inoculation program of the government because it's the surest way to fight the pandemic," Bello added. (DOLE)