President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. on Thursday reiterated his administration’s commitment to fostering a fair, transparent, and investor-friendly business environment, emphasizing that such efforts are crucial to creating more jobs and attracting both local and foreign investments.

Speaking before job seekers, employers, and partner organizations during the Job Fair + Skills E-Hub at the SM Mall of Asia, the President said the government remains focused on improving the country’s business climate to open wider opportunities for Filipino workers.

“Be assured that this Administration will continue to create a fair, transparent, and enabling business environment—one that encourages both local and foreign investments, and rewards persistence with progress,” Marcos said.

The President also underscored the vital role of the private sector in advancing national development, particularly in employment generation and skills enhancement.

Since 2023, the government’s collaboration with the Private Sector Advisory Council (PSAC) through the Trabaho Para sa Bayan: J.O.B.S. initiative has organized more than 5,000 job fairs nationwide, reaching 1.3 million job seekers and enabling at least 200,000 applicants to be hired on the spot.

“In these times, when many Filipinos are having a hard time finding employment that matches their skills, their interests, and their aspirations, we recognize that this is our responsibility to ensure that assistance is something that meets them wherever they are,” he said.

This year’s MOA event was mounted through the partnership of SM, the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), and the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT). DOLE also conducted simultaneous job fairs in eight other locations across the country.

Marcos highlighted the fusion of traditional job-matching activities with digital skills training.

“This hub brings together a large-scale job fair and digital upskilling,” he said, citing the participation of Asia Pacific College, National University, and IBM, which showcased AI-related training programs. 

These efforts, he said, demonstrate that Filipino workers “can and should not only adapt to the digital future but thrive in that digital future.”

Support for MSMEs, displaced workers

Meantime, Marcos announced DOLE’s release of financial aid under the TUPAD program to provide immediate relief to disadvantaged and displaced workers.

Additionally, DOLE distributed 19 sacks of rice to bigasan enterprises as seed capital and awarded financial assistance checks to five MSMEs under its Adjustment Measures Program.

“We hope that government assistance would help you grow your business, improving enterprise viability, competitiveness, and productivity,” Marcos said.

As part of broader holiday initiatives, the government and private partners also launched an MSME bazaar at Ayala Malls by the Bay and a one-stop service hub at Robinsons Manila that features job fairs, mentoring sessions, and government service centers.

Marcos encouraged job seekers to seize the opportunities available during the event, noting that the labor market is rapidly evolving and requires continuous learning.

He also urged entrepreneurs to showcase Filipino creativity, build partnerships, and pursue innovative ideas.

“None of this would be possible without the support of the private sector, including our mall partners and the PSAC,” the President said, expressing gratitude for the collaboration.

“Sa tulong ninyong lahat, napapalapit natin ang mga oportunidad sa bawat Pilipino upang magkaroon ang bawat isa ng mas maginhawa, mas maunlad, at mas masaganang buhay,” he added.