DOLE, DSWD to continue finding opportunities for unemployed – PBBM

By Ferdinand Patinio, Philippine News Agency

President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr .delivers his fourth State of the Nation Address (SONA) during the opening of the joint session of 20th Congress at the Batasang Pambansa on Monday (July 28, 2025). (PNA photo by Avito Dalan)

MANILA – President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. on Monday urged government agencies to continue providing employment opportunities to Filipinos.

During his 4th State of the Nation Address (SONA), he asked the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) and the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) to assist the public, especially college students, to prepare them for employment.

“Magpupursige ang DOLE, DTI (Department of Trade and Industry), DSWD, kasama na rin ang DOT (Department of Tourism), at mga kaugnay na ahensiya, sa paghahanap ng paraan at mga oportunidad para sa natitirang apat na porsiyento ng ating puwersang manggagawa na hanggang ngayon, walang trabaho (The DOLE, DTI, along with DOT, and related agencies, will persevere in finding ways and opportunities for the remaining 4 percent of our workforce that remain unemployed),” he said.

The Government Internship Program (GIP) of the DOLE provides young Filipinos with opportunities to gain practical work experience in government agencies.

On the other hand, the DSWD provides employment opportunities and support to Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) beneficiaries through job fairs and other initiatives.

Marcos assured the people that the DOLE, DSWD, and other government agencies will continue to provide jobs to unemployed Filipinos.

Likewise, the President said the government is helping Filipinos establish their own businesses.

“At para sa mga tinataguyod natin mula sa kahirapan, patuloy tayong magbibigay ng libreng training at puhunan para makapagtayo sila ng sariling negosyo (For those who we are helping to rise from poverty, we will continue to give free training and capital so they could put up their own business),” he assured.

“Hindi tayo titigil hanggang halos dalawa’t kalahating milyong maralitang pamilya ang natulungan nating magkaroon ng kanilang sariling maliit na negosyo. Ipagpapatuloy natin ang pagbibigay ng puhunan sa mas marami pang negosyante para makapagsimula ng maliit na negosyo o microenterprise, sa mababang interest, at walang kolateral. Pati na rin ang kapital at proteksyon para sa mga yamang-isip. (We will not stop until we have helped almost two and a half million poor families start their own small businesses. We will continue to provide investment to more entrepreneurs so they can start small businesses or microenterprises at low interest rates and without collateral. As well as capital and protection for intellectual property),” the President said.