Manila: The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) on Thursday acknowledged the Philippine Statistics Authority's (PSA) latest report showing a decline in the number of unemployed Filipinos from 1.94 million in February to 1.93 million in March.
According to Philippines News Agency, Assistant Secretary Irene Dumlao, the DSWD's spokesperson, stated that the decrease in unemployment may be partly attributed to the 'Trabaho sa Bagong Pilipinas para sa Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps)' job fair. This initiative is an inter-agency effort under the administration of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. 'This modest drop in the number of unemployed Filipinos reflects a positive development: more Filipinos, particularly from poor households, now have stable sources of income and are more capable of putting food on the table and meeting their daily needs,' Dumlao said in a statement.
'Ito ang vision ni President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. at Secretary Rex Gatchalian - magkaroon ng trabaho ang miyembro ng 4Ps upang masiguro na hindi na sila babalik sa kahirapan (This is the vision of President Marcos and Secretary Gatchalian - for 4Ps members to have jobs so they won't return to poverty),' she added. In collaboration with other government agencies, the Trabaho sa Bagong Pilipinas provides graduating 4Ps members with local and international employment opportunities, livelihood support, and other services of government agencies.
Since its launch at the end of January, the 12 job fairs conducted nationwide have resulted in 980 4Ps members being hired on the spot, while more than 3,000 are waitlisted, awaiting feedback from employers or completing employment requirements. Dumlao emphasized that this figure reflects the willingness of 4Ps beneficiaries to avail of government initiatives aimed at alleviating poverty and investing in human capital.
The one-stop shop Trabaho sa Bagong Pilipinas para sa 4Ps features booths from various government agencies, including the DSWD, Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), Department of Agriculture, and others. Upon registration, the graduating 4Ps beneficiaries undergo an orientation on the services offered by these agencies. After the orientation, each 4Ps member receives PHP3,000 financial assistance to cover pre-employment requirements, including medical examinations and transportation allowance.
The DOLE is responsible for coordinating with business establishments that are hiring new employees, while TESDA conducts upskilling training among 4Ps members to ensure they have the necessary skills for employment. The DSWD's Sustainable Livelihood Program (SLP) also provides a "Sulong Trabaho" SLP Employment Assistance Booth to orient the 4Ps beneficiaries on the SLP's Employment Track.