President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., accompanied by Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Secretary Rex Gatchalian and other Cabinet officials, visited the ‘Trabaho sa Bagong Pilipinas’  job fair on Saturday (February 15) at the Tagum City Hall Atrium in Davao Del Norte.

In his message, the Chief Executive said that through the job fair, livelihood opportunities will be made more accessible, inclusive, and anchored on the poverty-alleviation efforts of the government, including the beneficiaries of the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) of the DSWD.

“Ang inisyatibong ito ay bilang pagtupad sa aming mandato at sa aming pangako na itaas ang antas ng pamumuhay ng bawat pamilyang Pilipino, lalo na ang mga benepisyaryo ng ating 4Ps,” President Marcos said on Saturday (February 15) as he addressed some 4,000  employment seekers in the job fair.

The ‘Trabaho sa Bagong Pilipinas’ is an initiative led by the DSWD, in partnership with the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) and other government agencies. It seeks to expand opportunities for 4Ps members, including beneficiaries of the DOLE’s  Tulong Panghanapbuhay sa Ating Disadvantaged/Displaced Workers (TUPAD), by helping them secure stable employment and enhance their quality of life.

Of the 4,000 job fair attendees, over 3,000 were 4Ps beneficiaries who underwent job interviews and orientation on the DSWD’s various programs and projects.

A Php3,000 cash in livelihood assistance was handed out to each applicant for their pre-employment requirements, and practical support as they explored employment and livelihood opportunities.

As of 5:00 p.m. Saturday, a total of 35 applicants have been hired on the spot, gaining positions from around 28 companies invited by the DOLE that have opened up over 1,200 positions for the job fair.

These positions include housekeeping staff, maintenance, sales associates, utility persons, customer service representatives, insurance agents, store clerks, cashiers, baggers, and operation management trainees.

They are now lined-up for the DSWD- Sustainable Livelihood Program’s (SLP) Employment Track (EF) assistance. Once validated, they will receive Php5,000 to assist them with their transition to their new jobs.

The cash aid can be used to defray expenses for the processing of employment documentary requirements; medical examinations; purchase of basic employment tools and materials; transportation and meals; and board and lodging until the first 15 days of employment.

President Marcos said that with the Bagong Pilipinas job fair, the government is embarking on a whole-of-government approach to make job opportunities more accessible to Filipinos, and enlist forces to boost the economy of the country.

“Gagawin ko po ang lahat para itong programang ito ay maikalat sa buong bansa, hangad ko po ang katambal po nito ay ang aming panawagan na mapalawig niyo pa po ang mga pagkakataon at oportunidad na nasa iyong harapan,” President Marcos said.

‘Kadiwa ng Pangulo’ stalls were also set up by the Department of Agriculture (DA) to provide affordable basic goods and commodities to the beneficiaries.

The job fair also served as a one-stop-shop for government’s services, with booths set up by the Social Security System (SSS); Pag-Ibig Fund; National Bureau of Investigation (NBI); Department of Trade and Industry (DTI); Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA); Professional Regulations Commission (PRC); Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA); Department of Education (DepEd); Public Employment Service Office (PESO); and DOLE.

The other officials present at the event were Special Assistant to the President (SAP) Secretary Antonio Lagdameo Jr., DOLE Secretary Bienvenido Leguesma, and Department of Agriculture (DA) Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr.