In its continuing efforts in assisting beneficiaries of the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps), the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) joined the Office of the President (OP) and other line agencies to bring the ‘Trabaho at Serbisyong Pangkalusugan sa Bagong Pilipinas’ job fair to Dasmariñas City in Cavite on Friday (March 21).
Around 3,000 beneficiaries of 4Ps explored job opportunities from 41 local employers and companies invited by the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) offering more than 3,600 employment slots.
“Kaya po kami nandito upang buuin ang aming mga ginagawa para sa isang pagsasama-sama ng iba’t ibang mga Departamento upang makapagbigay ng tulong sa inyo, upang makapagbigay ng mga pangangailangan ng ating mga kababayan,” President Marcos told the 4Ps beneficiaries at the Dasmariñas Arena.
As of press time, 33 participants were hired-on-the-spot (HOTS) and are expected to receive pre-employment assistance worth Php5,000 subject to the assessment of the DSWD’s Sustainable Livelihood Program (SLP).
“Asahan po ninyo na ang inyong pamahalaan ay laging narito na mag-alalay po sa inyong lahat. At asahan ninyo, hindi po kami aalis hangga’t kayo ay nangangailangan ng tulong galing sa pamahalaan. Nandito po kami palagi,” the President said in his message.
One of the HOTS 4Ps beneficiaries from Dasmariñas City was Mark Daniel Loquisan who got employed as a bagger for a grocery store.
“Plano ko po is makapagtrabaho kahit isang taon o dalawang taon para makapag-ipon ng pera para sa pag-aaral ko sa college,” a beaming Mark Daniel said.
Another HOTS beneficiary Carl Jimmuel Rosal, who was hired as a store clerk, said he is very happy that he will now be able to help his family with his new job.
“Malaking tulong po yung trabaho, pandagdag na tulong pinansyal sa mga magulang po namin,” a smiling Carl Jimmuel said.
Each job fair participant also received Php3,000 cash aid under the Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situation (AICS) program to help them secure their pre-employment requirements.
The Department of Health (DOH), on the other hand, provided free medical services to the participants including screening laboratory services such as electrocardiograms (ECGs) and X-rays, pneumonia vaccinations, anti-dengue commodities and the provision of medicines, among other services.
The job fair featured a one-stop shop for pre-employment documentation and advisory services from different government agencies, including the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA), Government Service Insurance System (GSIS), Technical Education and Skills Development Authority, (TESDA), Social Security System (SSS), National Bureau of Investigation (NBI), Pag-IBIG Fund, and PhilHealth.
The DOLE provided cash assistance and start up kits to beneficiaries of its livelihood programs.
Several ‘Kadiwa ng Pangulo’ stalls were also set up by the Department of Agriculture (DA) to provide affordable basic goods and commodities to the job fair attendees.
The DSWD executives who joined President Marcos at the job fair were Secretary Rex Gatchalian; Undersecretary Vilma Cabrera and Asst. Secretary Marites Maristela of the
Conditional Cash Transfer Group; Asst. Secretary for Community Engagement Ulysses Aguilar; Asst. Secretary for Regional Operations Paul Ledesma; Director Gemma Gabuya of the 4Ps National Program Management Office; and Regional Director Barry Chua of Field Office-CALABARZON.
The other government officials present at the event were Secretary Bienvenido Laguesma of the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), Secretary Teodoro Herbosa of the Department of Health (DOH), Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. of the Department of Agriculture (DA), and Presidential Adviser for Poverty Alleviation (PAPA) Secretary Larry Gadon.
Cavite Mayor Jenny Barzaga and Vice Mayor Rex Mangubat led the local officials who attended the event. (AKDL)