BY GILBERT P. BAYORAN
Many opportunities await Filipinos in Australia’s Northern Territory, particularly in health-related jobs and among skilled workers, Gov. Eugenio Jose Lacson disclosed yesterday.
While the most in-demand jobs are in Northern Territory of Australia are in health services, Lacson said they are also looking for skilled workers in the construction industry, such as welders.
They want welders working in the Middle East to look into Darwin, Northern Territory, Australia, as an option, he added.
Lacson is looking into the possibility of not only sending scholars to Darwin Australia, but also highly skilled workers.
While Darwin is four times bigger Negros Occidental in terms of size, it has a population only of 250,000, the governor said, noting that among other nationalities living in the area, Filipinos ranked second in terms of population at 8,000.
“Obviously they lack manpower. They have big plans. They have a diverse nationality there. After the Australians, Filipinos are the next biggest population which is 8,000,” he pointed out.
At present, the provincial government of Negros Occidental has 30 Negrense scholars studying in Darwin, Australia
Those scholars currently in Darwin, Australia, want the provincial government to continue its scholarship program.
This was relayed by the scholars from Negros Occidental during the recent visit of Capitol executives led by Gov. Lacson, to the Northern Territory of Australia.
Lacson said he was told by the scholars that they have no regrets in going to Darwin, Australia.
“They also never felt any discrimination in Darwin which is positive thing,” he added.
Their intention “is to stay there, and hoping to secure a permanent residency which will lead to citizenship. It’s a positive program,” Lacson further said.
He also announced that the provincial government will be sending more scholars starting next year.*
