President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr. reaffirmed the government’s commitment to continued job generation and workforce development as he led the job fair and digital upskilling event organized by the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) in collaboration with the Department of Information Communication and Technology (DICT) and Private Sector Advisory Council (PSAC) at the SM Mall of Asia Music Hall held on December 11, 2025.
In his speech, President Marcos, Jr. emphasized the importance of collaboration between the government and the private sector to provide more work and skills development opportunities for Filipinos, reaffirming that this partnership is a proven, strong driver of national development that uplifts the lives of the people.
“In these times, when many Filipinos are having a hard time finding employment that matches their skills, their interests, and their aspirations, we all recognize that this is our responsibility to ensure that assistance is something that meets them wherever they are. Kaya po nandito tayo ngayon, upang gawin mas madali, abot kamay, at makabuluhan ang pagkakataong maghanap ng trabaho. Madadagdagan ang kasanayan at magsimula ang kabuhayan,” the President added.
The 92nd DOLE Founding Anniversary Job Fair + Skills e-Hub, led by DOLE, through its National Capital Region, was in coordination with SM Supermalls, Pasay City Government, Private Sector Advisory Council Education and Jobs Group, and various stakeholders, highlighting the Department’s strong commitment to partnerships that bring employment opportunities closer to Filipino workers.
Joining the President were DICT Secretary Henry Aguda, Department of Trade and Industry Secretary Cristina Roque, and DOLE Undersecretary Carmela I. Torres, representing Secretary Bienvenido E. Laguesma.
As of this writing, 30 applicants were hired on the spot (HOTS) at the Pasay City job fair, which was attended by 114 employers offering a total of 16,053 job openings. A total of 223 job seekers were qualified, while 44 were ‘near-hires’. Top industries and job positions included manufacturing (production operator), retail (store clerk, bagger), and business process outsourcing (customer service representative).
Among the 223 registered participants were former beneficiaries of DOLE’s Tulong Panghanapbuhay sa Ating Disadvantaged Workers (TUPAD) program, returning overseas Filipino workers, graduates of various Technical Education and Skills Development Authority programs, and graduates of the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) of the Department of Social Welfare and Development.
