Quezon City Councilor and former three-termer Congressman Alfred Vargas on Sunday expressed confidence that the policies of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. that brought 5.9 percent economic growth in the country will bring the Philippine economy to greater heights as the fastest growing economy in Southeast Asia.

"Kamakailan lang ay nabalitaan natin ang good news sa ating 'stellar third-quarter performance,' na linampasan pa ang growth forecast ng mga ekonomista. Ito'y sumasalamin sa pagsisikap ng ating pamahalaang iangat ang antas ng pamumuhay ng ating mga kababayan," Vargas said.

He added that everyone must support the whole-of-government approach of the Marcos Administration to push more the economic growth and create more jobs and livelihood for the urban poor sector and other vulnerable groups.

"Sa bawat trabahong ating itinutulay at sa bawat kabuhayang ating binubuksan, pinapasigla natin ang ating lokal na ekonomiya. Binibigyan natin ng dagdag na sustento ang ating mga industriya at enterprises at pinapalakas natin ang ating workforce," Vargas pointed out.

Vargas cited the model plan for a comprehensive job and livelihood development programs in Novaliches, with the help of the Quezon City Social Services Development Department, Department of Labor and Employment, Technical Education and Skills Development Authority and other private partners.

The alderman said over a thousand Novaleños were able to have their own jobs with the holding of regular job fairs. While a little over 5,000 more Novaleños were given livelihood program na mga Novalenyo naman ang naturuan ng mga livelihood training programs every week. This includes perfume making, dishwashing liquid making, and meat processing that enabled the beneficiaries to have their own little business.

"Nagpapasalamat tayo sa ating City Government, sa ilalim ng ating mahusay na Mayora Joy Belmonte, sapagkat malaking priority sa kanya ang social services. Dahil dito, nabibigyan natin ng pagkakataong umunlad ang buhay ng ating kapwa QCitizens," Vargas said.

Also a former Committee Chairman on Social Services in Congress, Vargas said the livelihood programs became sustainable if the beneficiaries were given and taught proper skills paired with their eagerness to improved their lives.

Vargas said this pushed him to author the Tulong Trabaho Act and Youth Entrepreneurship Act.

He also reminded that these partnership must be observed with responsibility and courage to help others to succeed.

"Palagi nating sinasabi sa ating mga jobseekers, trainees, at aspiring entrepreneurs na kapag sila naman ang nakakaluwag sa buhay, mayroon tayong tungkuling tulungan din ang mga nasa ibaba. Sa pag-aakay natin sa isa't isa, maisusuguro nating walang maiiwan," Vargas explained.