President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has recently visited the “Trabaho sa Bagong Pilipinas” job fair at the Tagum City Hall Atrium in Davao Del Norte accompanied by Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Secretary Rex Gatchalian and other Cabinet officials.
Marcos said the job fair makes livelihood opportunities more accessible and inclusive, aligning with the government’s poverty alleviation efforts, including for beneficiaries of the DSWD’s Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps).
“This initiative fulfills our mandate and promise to raise the standard of living for every Filipino family, especially 4Ps beneficiaries,” Marcos said to about 4,000 job seekers at the fair.
“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 aims to expand opportunities for 4Ps members, including beneficiaries of the DoLE’s Tulong Panghanapbuhay sa Ating Disadvantaged/Displaced Workers program, by helping them secure stable employment and improve their quality of life.
Of the 4,000 attendees, over 3,000 were 4Ps beneficiaries who participated in job interviews and orientations on various DSWD programs and projects. Each applicant received P3,000 for pre-employment requirements and support as they explored employment and livelihood opportunities
As of 5 p.m. Saturday, 35 applicants had been hired on the spot by 28 companies offering over 1,200 positions, including housekeeping staff, maintenance, sales associates, utility persons, customer service representatives, insurance agents, store clerks, cashiers, baggers, and operation management trainees.
These newly hired individuals are eligible for the DSWD’s Sustainable Livelihood Program’s Employment Track assistance. After validation, they will receive P5,000 to support their job transition, covering expenses for employment documents, medical examinations, basic employment tools and materials, transportation, meals, and board and lodging for the first 15 days of employment.