AROUND 3,000 jobs were opened to Visayans yesterday as President Marcos Jr. launched the “Trabaho Para sa Bagong Pilipinas” program of the government which aims to help the indigent sectors the most to find jobs that would help support their families.
During the event at the Iloilo Sports Complex in La Paz, Iloilo City, the President said around 2,000 to 2,500 people have initially registered for the program and stand a good chance of getting a job, some of them even on the spot.
Marcos said apart from the presence of the employers themselves, the government is also providing screening and job matching to ensure the applicants have the right skill set for the job.
Retooling and retraining programs will also be provided to other applicants to get them ready for employment.
The “Trabaho Para sa Bagong Pilipinas Para sa 4Ps” is organized by the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) in coordination with the Office of the President (OP) to help the public, especially the indigents and beneficiaries of government social service programs such as the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) get a job and be independent instead of relying on government grants.
The beneficiaries also include those who graduated or are set to exit the 4Ps program to assist them in transitioning from government aid to self-sufficiency.
It aims to create a positive shift from short-term relief to sustainable livelihood, facilitate skills matching between the beneficiaries and potential employers, and serve as a platform for participants to showcase their capabilities and access jobs, training, or further education.
Marcos launched the program last January 31 in Manila and said that similar job fairs would be held in different regions to reach more Filipinos.
DSWD said among those who participated in the job fair were beneficiaries of 4Ps from the towns of Oton (339); Pavia (40); Leganes (52); Sta. Barbara (225); and Iloilo City (2, 344) who all underwent pre-employment orientation from partner agencies, and received P3,000 food and cash assistance under the agency’s Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situation (AICS) program.
DSWD is also providing cash aid of up to P5,000 under the Sustainable Livelihood Program (SLP) for those who were hired on the spot. The amount can be used for pre-employment requirements such as police and NBI clearances, medical or physical examinations, birth certificates, school diplomas, and TIN, among others.
DSWD payout booths were set up for the release of the grants to the agency’s different programs while 15 other government offices set up Help Desks to answer queries and provide assistance in applying for certain jobs and availing of specific services.
The Department of Agriculture (DA) also facilitated an Expo for 42 Exhibitors of Kadiwa ng Pangulo to showcase their local products.
The President said the presence of the Kadiwa would enable job seekers access to more affordable healthier food products including rice which is sold for as low as P29 per kilo.
“This is the government’s aid to our countrymen, and we’re doing this not just here but all over the Philippines,” Marcos said.
“Because we know how difficult life is and we have a lot of needs, that’s why whatever the government can do to help, whatever the government could provide, we would do it,” he added.
After the event, the President attended a meeting with local government officials and regional agency officials about the situation in the region.
He also led the kick-off of the campaign of the Alyansa Para sa Bagong Pilipinas senatorial candidates in the Visayas which was also held in Iloilo City.
