President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Thursday underscored the need to expand public-private partnerships and accelerate digital upskilling programs as the country grapples with a rise in unemployment.
During the launch of the Job Fair + Skills e-Hub at the SM Mall of Asia Music Hall, Mr. Marcos said the initiative reflects how government and industry can “bring opportunities closer to every Filipino,” especially at a time when many are struggling to find work that matches their skills.
“In these times when many Filipinos are having a hard time finding employment that matches their skills, interests, and aspirations, it is our responsibility to meet them wherever they are,” President Marcos said.
The event, organized by the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT), SM Supermalls, and the Private Sector Advisory Council (PSAC), combined a large-scale job fair with on-site digital training stations.
Since 2023, the government’s partnership with PSAC through its Trabaho Para sa Bayan program has mounted more than 5,000 job fairs nationwide, reached 1.3 million job seekers, and recorded over 200,000 hired on the spot, according to the President.
DOLE also released payouts to beneficiaries of its Tulong Panghanapbuhay sa Ating Disadvantaged/Displaced Workers (TUPAD) program, distributed rice assistance to livelihood groups and awarded financial support under its Adjustment Measures Program to five MSMEs.
He thanked private-sector partners including PSAC jobs lead Joey Concepcion, SM Investments vice chair Tessie Sy-Coson and SM Supermalls president Steven Tan for sustaining job-matching programs across the country.
“The global workforce is changing very quickly—but I believe the Filipino will keep pace, even lead, when given the right support and opportunities,” he said.
The event took place as the Philippines faces a fresh spike in joblessness. According to the Philippine Statistics Authority, unemployment climbed to 5.0% in October 2025, equivalent to 2.54 million Filipinos, up from 3.8% in September and 3.9% a year earlier.
Labor-force participation rose, but not all new entrants were absorbed into the job market, the PSA said.
