By Ferdinand Patinio

JOB FAIR. Youths flock to the job fair and one-stop shop government services offered at Robinsons Place in San Nicolas, Ilocos Norte on Saturday (Sept. 13, 2025). A total of 1,426 local and foreign jobs were made available during the event. (PNA photo by Leilanie Adriano)

MANILA – More than 98,000 jobs and PHP559 million worth of livelihood assistance were rolled out during simultaneous job fairs, livelihood awarding, and payout activities, coinciding with President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s 68th birthday on Saturday.

At least 1,061 employers offered 98,282 vacancies – 81,826 local and 16,456 overseas – across different job fair sites nationwide, the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) said.

Before this, the department urged job applicants to bring their resumé, diplomas, transcripts of records, government clearances, and employment certificates if previously employed before going to the fair.

The initiative, dubbed “Handog ng Pangulo 2025,” is part of the President’s push to expand access to decent work and sustainable livelihood programs.

The department said that PHP46,939,342.75 would be allocated to 11,145 beneficiaries of the Government Internship Program, while 6,093 beneficiaries of the Special Program for the Employment of Students will receive their allowances, totaling PHP30,857,549.40.

More than PHP54.7 million will also be distributed to 667 beneficiaries of the DOLE Adjustment Measures Program nationwide.

Meanwhile, approximately 47,953 Tulong Panghanapbuhay sa Ating Disadvantaged Workers (TUPAD) beneficiaries nationwide will also receive their salaries, amounting to PHP273,436,169.96, for 10 days of paid community work under the program.

More than 5,995 beneficiaries will also be awarded with livelihood assistance, amounting to PHP152,604,621.02, under the DOLE Integrated Livelihood Program.

The department added that beneficiaries of DOLE’s youth employment programs are also set to receive their salaries during the event. (PNA)