ILOILO City – President Ferdinand “Bongbong” R. Marcos Jr. assured that the government is always ready to listen and respond to the needs of Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) beneficiaries during his visit to the “Trabaho para sa Bagong Pilipinas para sa 4Ps” event at the Iloilo Sports Complex in La Paz district here in February 13.
In his brief speech, Marcos addressed over 3,000 4Ps beneficiaries from the city and province of Iloilo who were attending the job fair, emphasizing the government’s commitment to providing assistance.
“I hope, as I mentioned, that you always remember the government is here, listening to your concerns and needs. We will do everything we can to help,” Marcos said.
The government, through the Office of the President (OP) and various partner agencies, brought the job fair to Iloilo City in response to the call for better access to services and job opportunities for 4Ps beneficiaries.
Several services were offered, including the “Kadiwa ng Pangulo” program by the Department of Agriculture (DA), which provided affordable basic commodities and agricultural products to attendees.
Additionally, participants underwent pre-employment orientations by partner agencies and received food assistance from the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) through the Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situation (AICS) program, amounting to P3,000 each.
DSWD’s Sustainable Livelihood Program (SLP) also played a role by offering employment assistance to beneficiaries who were hired on the spot. Beneficiaries assessed under the Employment Facilitation Track were eligible to receive an Employment Assistance Fund (EAF) of up to P5,000 to cover pre-employment requirements like police and NBI clearances, medical exams, birth certificates, school diplomas, and TINs.
Meanwhile, the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) facilitated the job fair with the participation of 27 employers. Fifteen government agencies were also on hand to provide support and answer questions at the Help Desk.
Additionally, the DA organized an Expo featuring 42 exhibitors showcasing local products through the Kadiwa ng Pangulo program.
Marcos highlighted the importance of making government services more accessible by bringing them directly to the people, particularly 4Ps beneficiaries. He emphasized the job matching process during the fair, noting its value in connecting job seekers with opportunities that match their skills.
“Sometimes, the issue with job seekers is that their skills don’t align with the jobs they apply for. We help them find jobs that match their capabilities and skill set,” Marcos explained.
The President also expressed his satisfaction that Kadiwa stores were available at the job fair, allowing beneficiaries to purchase affordable rice and other local products after receiving their payouts.
“After getting your payout, you can do some shopping here at Kadiwa and bring home goods for your family. We hope what we’re doing helps, as it is crucial for the government to provide assistance to those who need it,” Marcos added.
The DSWD estimated that around 3,000 4Ps beneficiaries, including those from Iloilo City and the province, benefited from the job fair. The breakdown includes 339 beneficiaries from Oton, 40 from Pavia, 52 from Leganes, 225 from Sta. Barbara, and 2,344 from Iloilo City./PN
