More than 4,000 job opportunities were made available to job seekers in Mindanao as President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. led the country’s 124th Labor Day celebration in General Santos City, reinforcing the administration’s commitment to expanding employment access and delivering immediate support services to Filipino workers.
Held at the KCC Convention and Events Center, the event brought together key government agencies to provide a comprehensive package of employment and social services. A job fair organized by the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) served as the centerpiece, complemented by skills demonstrations from the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA), health services under PhilHealth’s YAKAP program, and a one-stop shop offering multi-agency assistance and pre-employment services.
In his address, President Marcos emphasized the government’s accelerated efforts to create more and better job opportunities through sustained investments. He noted that nearly ₱2 trillion in approved investments are projected to generate close to 150,000 jobs nationwide. He also highlighted the continued rollout of job fairs across the country to bring employment opportunities closer to communities.
“Batid namin ang naging pahirap sa ating lahat ng pagtaas ng presyo ng langis at mga bilihin, kaya patuloy kaming kumikilos upang maibsan ang bigat na nararamdaman ng ating mga manggagawa habang tinitiyak na patuloy ang pagdami at pagbuti ng kalidad ng trabaho sa bansa,” the President said.
“Hangad natin ang disenteng trabaho para sa bawat Pilipino; patuloy tayong naghahanap ng paraan upang dumami pa ang trabaho, kabuhayan, at oportunidad para sa ating lahat,” he added, underscoring a whole-of-government approach to employment generation and worker protection.
With the theme “Disenteng Trabaho Para sa Lahat: Iisang Hangarin, Bagong Pilipinas Sama-samang Mararating,” the celebration highlighted the government’s integrated strategy linking employment, skills development, and social protection.
The Mindanao Development Authority (MinDA), led by Secretary Leo Tereso A. Magno, expressed strong support for the President’s initiative, emphasizing the importance of aligning national programs with regional priorities to ensure that investments translate into tangible employment and inclusive growth across Mindanao.
MinDA continues to advance strategic initiatives aligned with the CREATE MORE Act, positioning Mindanao as a premier investment hub. These efforts aim to accelerate the development of key industries, unlock high-impact growth corridors, and drive large-scale job creation alongside sustainable economic transformation in the region.
As part of the Labor Day activities, President Marcos also led the distribution of rice through the Local Government Support Fund (LGSF) and personally handed over ₱33.6 million in financial assistance under the Socio-Civic Project Fund (SCPF) to barangays in General Santos City and Sarangani Province during a separate event at the Lagao Gymnasium.
The event was attended by key Cabinet officials, local government leaders, and representatives from various national agencies and labor sector stakeholders, reflecting a unified effort to strengthen employment initiatives nationwide.
In line with the President’s directive to expand employment opportunities, MinDA is intensifying investment promotion and regional industry development to accelerate job creation across Mindanao. The agency is also strengthening partnerships in technical training, renewable energy employment, and digital workforce development to better align workforce skills with industry demands.
