The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), in partnership with the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), provided job opportunities and financial aid to 12,000 graduating members of the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) during a one-day job fair on January 31 at the Rizal Memorial Stadium in Manila.
The event, dubbed ‘Trabaho sa Bagong Pilipinas,’ ran from 10 AM to 5 PM. The initiative aimed to assist 4Ps beneficiaries in transitioning from government aid to financial independence.
Financial Assistance for Pre-Employment
According to officials, participating 4Ps members from the National Capital Region (NCR) first underwent an orientation on employment opportunities and services offered by various government agencies.
Afterward, they each received Php3,000 in financial assistance to cover pre-employment requirements such as medical exams and transportation costs.
Government Agencies Offering Support
The job fair featured booths from multiple government agencies, including:
- DOLE
- Department of Agriculture (DA)
- Department of Trade and Industry (DTI)
- Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA)
- Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA)
- Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA)
- National Bureau of Investigation (NBI)
- Philippine National Police (PNP)
- Social Security System (SSS)
- Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR)
- PhilHealth
- Pag-Ibig
- Office of the President (OP)
Skills Training and Employment Assistance
DOLE coordinated with businesses hiring new employees, while TESDA provided upskilling programs to ensure 4Ps members had the necessary skills for employment.
The DSWD’s Sustainable Livelihood Program (SLP) also ran a ‘Sulong Trabaho’ booth to guide beneficiaries on employment pathways.
Assessment and Employment Fund Release
Asst. Secretary Florentino Loyola Jr. of SLP stated that 4Ps members who secured jobs at the fair underwent an assessment process.
“They filled out forms, and if their evaluation was positive, their application was processed by the NCR regional office,” he said.
He added that successful applicants were later notified by the NCR Field Office regarding the release of their Employment Assistance Fund (EAF).
“All eligible beneficiaries received a slip at the SLP booth, which they had to present to the regional office during the payout,” Loyola explained.
Transitioning to Self-Sufficiency
This job fair was part of the government’s broader efforts to transition 4Ps graduates toward self-sufficiency.
The 4Ps National Program Management Office (NPMO) also conducted a nationwide graduation series called “Pugay Tagumpay” for beneficiaries exiting the program after achieving financial stability.
4Ps remains the country’s flagship anti-poverty initiative, providing conditional cash grants for children’s health and education. The program aims to break the cycle of poverty by equipping beneficiaries with resources to build sustainable futures.
Government officials believe that integrating job opportunities with financial support will help 4Ps graduates secure stable employment and long-term financial independence.