ILOILO City — More than 12,000 informal workers across Western Visayas received over P77 million in government assistance as the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) Regional Office 6 rolled out a massive livelihood and employment support program during the 124th Labor Day Celebration on May 1 in Iloilo City.
The assistance package, anchored on the Marcos administration’s push for sustainable employment and economic empowerment, included cash-for-work aid under the Tulong Pangkabuhayan sa Ating Disadvantaged/Displaced Workers (TUPAD) program, livelihood grants, and thousands of job opportunities for workers and job seekers in Western Visayas.
Held at Robinsons Place Iloilo, the Labor Day Job Fair offered around 7,000 employment opportunities, including 3,982 local vacancies and 3,518 overseas jobs.
About 2,289 applicants registered during the event, with 160 job seekers hired on the spot for various positions such as food handlers, drivers, data encoders, liaison officers, sales associates, investment specialists, and housekeeping personnel.
Several graduates and young applicants also secured opportunities through the Government Internship Program (GIP), while the Philippine Army participated in the event to recruit aspiring officers for the Armed Forces of the Philippines.
DOLE-6 director Atty. Sixto Popoy Rodriguez directed field offices to assist 144 “near-hires” who still need follow-up interviews and additional pre-employment requirements to help speed up their hiring process.
A major component of the initiative was the release of P77,453,190 under the TUPAD program for 12,833 informal workers in the region. The amount covered workers’ wages, personal protective equipment, and group accident insurance.
DOLE also distributed livelihood assistance to various groups and cooperatives across Western Visayas.
In Aklan, 148 beneficiaries received P4.44 million for rice retailing and sari-sari store projects. Antique received P2.7 million for livelihood programs benefiting 70 individuals in San Remigio, while another P600,000 was allotted for parents of child laborers in Barangay Magdalena, Anini-y. A multi-purpose cooperative in the same town also received P1 million for community-based livelihood projects.
In Capiz, DOLE allocated P.5 million for several agribusiness and small enterprise ventures, while Guimaras received P1.5 million in livelihood support for a community initiative in Barangay Bugnay, Jordan, benefiting 38 individuals.
The PEPSI Cola Employees Multi-Purpose Cooperative was also granted P1 million to strengthen its canteen and rice retail operations for the benefit of 23 employees.
Meanwhile, the Kadiwa ng Pangulo initiative received additional support through P1.5 million worth of project inputs for the Kadiwa Retail Store operated by the Central Philippine University Rank-and-File Labor Union–Federation of Free Workers (CPURAFLU-FFW), benefiting 191 individuals.
“This Labor Day, we go beyond mere celebration; we translate recognition into concrete support for the workers. Through our livelihood programs, we empower individuals not just to recover but to thrive, ensuring that opportunities reach even our most vulnerable sectors,” Rodriguez said.
The Labor Day event also featured help desks from various partner agencies offering free medical consultations, online registration assistance, and labor-related services for workers and their families./PN