ILOILO CITY — The Iloilo provincial government has rolled out a career guidance program in 80 public high schools, aiming to help students align their aspirations with the evolving demands of the job market.

Governor Arthur Defensor Jr. led the handover of Career Guidance Instructional Module (CGIM) sets during a lively ceremony at Pavia National High School’s Twin Covered Gym, which also featured the school’s Career Guidance Advocacy event, “Pagbinag-binag: Thinking Through Career Options.”

The CGIM is a key part of the province’s Bulig Eskwela sang Probinsya Program, designed to strengthen educational support for students across Iloilo. Developed in partnership with guidance counselors and education specialists from the Department of Education Iloilo and the University of the Philippines, the module implements Republic Act No. 11206, the Career Guidance and Counseling Act, authored by Defensor during his term as congressman.

Defensor stressed that the program seeks to close the gap between what students learn in school and the skills employers need.

“If the product of our schools does not match the needs of the economy and the government, our graduates will remain unemployed,” he said. “We want a career guidance and counselling program that will bridge the gap, help students make informed decisions about their future, and guide them toward the right career path.”

Each CGIM set includes lesson guides, interactive activities, assessment tools, and facilitation notes for Grades 7 to 12. The modules help students explore their strengths, understand the job market, map education pathways, and develop decision-making skills.

By distributing these modules to 80 schools, the program aims to empower thousands of students, with each school championing career guidance in its district. Officials see this initiative as a crucial step toward preparing a workforce-ready generation through continuous guidance in secondary education.