PBBM assures 4Ps members of continued government aid through job fairs

By Ruth Abbey Gita-Carlos, Philippine News Agency

Marcos made the pledge, as he graced the “Trabaho Para sa Bagong Pilipinas” fair organized by the Office of the President at the Iloilo Sports Complex in La Paz, Iloilo City. (PCO photo)

MANILA – President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. on Thursday vowed to continue helping the graduating members of the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) by holding job fairs aimed at opening job opportunities for them.

Marcos made the pledge, as he graced the “Trabaho Para sa Bagong Pilipinas” fair organized by the Office of the President at the Iloilo Sports Complex in La Paz, Iloilo City.

“Sana po ay makatulong po itong aming ginagawa at napakahalaga po para sa ating pamahalaan na ang mga nangangailangan ng tulong ay mabibigyan ng tulong kaya po namin ginagawa ito (I hope this work we are doing will be helpful and it is very important for our government that those who need help will be given help, that is why we are doing this),” he said in his speech.

“Isipin niyo na lagi ang pamahalaan po ninyo ay laging nandito at nakikinig sa inyong mga hinaing, sa inyong mga pangangailangan at gagawin po namin ang lahat upang tumulong (Always remember that your government is always here and listens to your grievances, to your needs and we will do everything to help).”

The Trabaho sa Bagong Pilipinas Para sa 4Ps aims to create a positive shift from short-term relief to sustainable livelihood by facilitating skills matching between the beneficiaries and potential employers.

The job-matching event serves as a platform for participants to showcase their capabilities, offering a wide range of jobs and pre-employment assistance.

A total of 3,000 4Ps beneficiaries from Iloilo province are expected to benefit from the job fair.

Around 339 of 3,000 4Ps members who are participating in the event are from Oton town; 40 from Pavia; 52 from Leganes; 225 from Sta. Barbara; and 2,344 from Iloilo City.

The target 4Ps beneficiaries will undergo pre-employment orientation from partner agencies and will also receive food assistance worth PHP3,000 each through the Department of Social Welfare and Development’s (DSWD) Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situation.

The DSWD, through its Sustainable Livelihood Program, would also offer employment assistance to those who will be hired on the spot.

The participants will be assessed under the Employment Facilitation Track for the provision of the Employment Assistance Fund amounting to a maximum of PHP5,000 each.

The amount can be used for acquiring pre-employment requirements, such as police and National Bureau of Investigation clearances, medical or physical examination, birth certificate, school diploma, and tax identification number.

Meanwhile, the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) assisted in the facilitation of the job fair by inviting 27 DOLE job fair employers.

Another highlight of the event was the Kadiwa ng Pangulo by the Department of Agriculture that allows 42 participants to sell basic commodities and agricultural products at affordable prices.

Marcos said the Kadiwa fair would give 4Ps beneficiaries access to cheaper essential goods.

“Hindi lang po namin ginagawa dito, kung hindi sa buong Pilipinas ito po ay ginagawa namin dahil alam naman po natin na mahirap po ang buhay ngayon at marami tayong pangangailangan kaya’t kung anong maitutulong ng pamahalaan, kung anong magagawa ng gobyerno para sa inyo ay gagawin namin (We are not only doing it here but in the whole Philippines, we are doing this because we know that life is difficult now and we have many needs so whatever the government can help, whatever the government can do for you, we will do it),” he said.