CITY OF SAN FERNANDO, Pampanga (PIA) — Workers and jobseekers across Central Luzon are gaining access to various pathways toward income as the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) brings employment, livelihood, and support services closer to communities.
This, as more than 23,000 employment opportunities were made available during the Handog ng Pangulo Trabaho Agad Job Fairs held simultaneously in eight venues across the region, as part of the nationwide birthday celebration of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.
Data from DOLE showed that 4,489 jobseekers participated in the activities, with 139 hired on the spot and another 378 classified as near hires.
For Shania Bautista of Paombong, Bulacan, the opportunity came after more than six months of job hunting when she was hired on the spot as a service crew at Central Mall.
“Para sa akin, napakaganda ng programang ito dahil nabibigyan ng pagkakataon ang mga Pilipinong naghahanap ng trabaho na magkaroon ng bagong opportunity,” she said.
She said the job would help her support her family financially while also serving as a stepping stone toward achieving her dreams.
Employment services beyond job matching
DOLE Assistant Secretary Julie Ann Chang-Lim said job fairs also make employment-related government services more accessible by bringing several agencies together in one venue.
“Ang mga job fair ay higit pa sa pagbibigay lamang ng mga oportunidad sa trabaho. Sa pagtutulungan ng aming ahensya kasama ang mga partner agencies tulad ng NBI, SSS, PhilHealth at iba pa, mas mapapadali ang pagproseso ng mga kinakailangang dokumento at serbisyo sa pamamagitan ng ating one-stop shop,” she said.
Chang-Lim also stressed DOLE’s Career Development Support Program, which provides career and employment vocational counseling to help jobseekers identify opportunities suited to their needs.
Across Central Luzon, 974 jobseekers availed of career development support, while another 1,425 accessed One-Stop-Shop services from the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration, National Bureau of Investigation, Commission on Elections, Philippine Statistics Authority, Social Security System, Pag-IBIG Fund, Philippine Health Insurance Corporation, Bureau of Internal Revenue, Technical Education and Skills Development Authority, Department of Information and Communications Technology, Department of Migrant Workers, and Department of Trade and Industry, among others.
Pampanga expands pathways to income
In Pampanga, DOLE Provincial Head May Lynn Gozun announced ₱4.24 million in financial aid and livelihood grants for 448 beneficiaries through programs supporting livelihood, emergency employment, youth work, and enterprise development.
Under the DOLE Integrated Livelihood Program or Kabuhayan Program, ₱1.68 million will assist vulnerable, low-income, self-employed, and special-category workers in starting or enhancing small businesses,
Of this ₱1.5 million was awarded to the Municipality of Guagua for group enterprises including a coffee shop and art gallery, bakery and refrigeration operations.
“Personalized business kits will also support a sari-sari store with rice retailing and three frozen-food vending packages, creating income opportunities for 88 individuals, while four beneficiaries received assistance for business operations in Pampanga. In Angeles City, three individual beneficiaries received sari-sari store with bigasan, hairdressing, and pizza vending packages, Gozun said.
Meanwhile, ₱1.92 million under Tulong Panghanapbuhay sa Ating Disadvantaged/Displaced was given to 300 beneficiaries in San Isidro and Turu in Magalang; while ₱286,845.42 was given to 51 Angeleño youth under the Special Program for the Employment of Students.
In addition, Netty Food Products received ₱335,204 under the Adjustment Measures Program for its business enhancement and product development.
These programs, according to DOLE, highlight the Marcos Jr. administration’s thrust to provide not only employment, but access to livelihood, career support ,and enterprise development opportunities based on individuals’ circumstances.
