A total of 38 graduating students of the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) were hired on the spot during a job fair held by the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) and the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) in Dumaguete.

Additionally, 23 individuals were successfully enrolled in the DOLE's Government Internship Program, opening doors for young professionals to gain valuable public sector work experience.

Attended by President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. himself, he congratulated the graduating 4Ps beneficiaries and stressed the vital role of the government in assisting them to find decent and productive employment that will further support their transition towards self-sufficiency.

"Kailangan pa rin na magkaroon ng trabaho [ang graduating 4Ps beneficiaries] para mas pagandahin ang kanilang kabuhayan (Graduating 4Ps beneficiaries still need to have jobs so they can better their livelihood)," Marcos said during his speech in the Trabaho sa Bagong Pilipinas Job Fair.

"Kaya mayroon tayong job fair kung saan pinagma-match natin ang mga aplikante doon sa trabaho na bagay sa kanilang kakayahan (That's why we have a job fair where we match our applicants with the jobs that need their respective skills)," Marcos added, noting that a one-stop-shop of government services was set-up during the event to assist the beneficiaries with their pre-employment documentary requirements.

For his part, DOLE Secretary Bienvenido Laguesma underscored the Labor department's support to the administration's whole-of-government approach in assisting vulnerable sectors, including the 4Ps beneficiaries.

"Sa tagubilin at direktiba ng ating Pangulo, nagsanib-pwersa ang Office of the President, DSWD, Department of Agriculture, at DOLE upang ang mga programa ng nasabing departamento ay pagkaisahin at maipagkaloob sa iisang lugar lamang para higit na maramdaman at magdulot ng pakinabang at magandang resulta sa buhay ng ating mga 4Ps beneficiaries (With the instructions and directives of our President, the Office of the President, DSWD, Department of Agriculture, and DOLE have joined forces so that the programs of the said departments can be unified and provided in one place only so that they can be felt more and bring benefits and good results in the lives of our 4Ps beneficiaries), Laguesma added.

The Trabaho sa Bagong Pilipinas Job Fair in Dumagute was part of Marcos' directive for monthly nationwide job fairs, particularly in provincial areas.

The event also highlighted the awarding of the DOLE Integrated Livelihood Program-Workers Organization and Development Program Plus amounting to over P1.4 million to Prudential Customs Brokerage Services, Inc. Employees Union ALU-TUCP, benefitting 132 members.

This initiative underscores DOLE’s commitment to supporting labor groups, with the funded project focusing on retail and general merchandise.

A comprehensive one-stop-shop was also set up during the event featuring services from the Department of Migrant Workers, Overseas Workers Welfare Administration, PhilHealth, Pag-IBIG, Technical Education and Skills Development Authority, National Bureau of Investigation, Philippine Statistics Authority, and the Social Security System.