AROUND 1,000 individuals from the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) were hired on the spot in several job fairs nationwide since January 2025, the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) said.
DSWD spokesperson Irene Dumlao said their agency coordinated with other private firms and government agencies so more individuals from the poor sector would be employed.
Around 3,000 4Ps beneficiaries were waitlisted, according to Dumlao.
“Ito ‘yung mga beneficiaries na naghihintay ng feedback mula sa prospective employers or sa kasalukuyan ay inaayos nila ang employment certificates or employment requirements nang sa gayon ay makapag-umpisa na sila sa kanilang trabaho,” Dumlao said in a briefing aired on state-run PTV.
Some of the employment opportunities for them included sales staff, production staff, and cashiers.
“Mayroon din sa ibang rehiyon konduktor naman para sa bus companies. Mayroon ding service crew at mga laborers,” she said.
She added: “Mayroon din sa ibang rehiyon mga telephone sales representatives at mayroon ding hinahanap na massage therapists. So makikita niyo magkakaiba yung trabaho na inaalok doon sa jobs fair. Marami tayong 4P beneficiaries na hired on the spot. Marami na rin ang nagkukumpleto ng requirements.”
The DSWD said they also offer a sustainable livelihood program to capacitate the program beneficiaries and improve their socio-economic conditions.
“Isa sa track na sinusunod dito ang employment facilitation track,” the official said. “Sa pamamagitan nito, ia-assist ‘yung ating beneficiaries or program participants sa paghahanap ng empleyo. Nagpo-provide tayo ng skills training, ng job-matching services and other support services para matulungan natin ‘yung ating mga kababayan na maka-access ng employment opportunities.”
The Philippines’ unemployment rate edged up in March, the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) said.
The jobless rate was 3.9 percent in March, which was slightly higher than the 3.8 percent clip in February, according to the agency, citing the results of its Labor Force Survey.
The underemployment rate meanwhile, climbed to 13.4 percent in March from 10.1 percent in February.
From February to March, the administrative, education, manufacturing, IT, and hotel and food sectors added the most jobs, with over 650,000 workers hired. (ABS-CBN News)
