Following directives from President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) is aggressively expanding its workforce training programs and pursuing key measures to increase the wages of Filipino workers.
In a Palace press briefing, Presidential Communications Office (PCO) Undersecretary and Palace Press Officer Claire Castro emphasized that the administration’s primary focus is creating sustainable, high-quality employment opportunities while boosting overall compensation across the country.
“Sa utos ng Pangulo ay isinusulong ni Labor and Employment Secretary Francis Tolentino ang paggawa ng mga hakbang para sa upskilling at pagpapataas ng sweldo ng mga Pilipino (Under the President’s orders, Labor and Employment Secretary Francis Tolentino is pushing forward with steps for the upskilling and wage increases of Filipinos),” Castro stated.
To bridge the gap between job seekers and employers, DOLE is expanding its Trabaho Agad job fairs—massive, simultaneous hiring events held nationwide that feature hundreds of local and overseas employers.
To streamline the hiring process for applicants, the job fairs feature a comprehensive one-stop-shop documentary processing center, allowing workers to secure necessary employment clearances on-site from:
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National Bureau of Investigation (NBI)
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Social Security System (SSS)
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PhilHealth
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Pag-IBIG Fund
Beyond immediate placement, the administration is focusing heavily on long-term workforce development and readiness through several targeted initiatives:
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Labor Education for Graduating Students: A program designed to prepare entering fresh graduates with vital knowledge about labor rights, work ethics, and industry expectations before entering the national workforce.
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TESDA Partnerships: An intensified collaboration with the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) to deliver technical training and certifications to learners and active workers alike.
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Livelihood Upgrades: The integration of specialized entrepreneurship training for beneficiaries of the Tulong Panghanapbuhay sa Ating Disadvantaged/Displaced Workers (TUPAD) program, shifting the focus toward long-term financial self-reliance.
“Ayon sa ahensiya, napapanahon nang paunlarin ang labor force ng bansa at mag-invest sa employable skills para gawing future-ready ang Filipino workers (According to the agency, it is high time to develop the country’s labor force and invest in employable skills to make Filipino workers future-ready),” Castro added, reiterating the administration’s core vision. “Dahil sa Bagong Pilipinas, katuwang ng pamahalaan ang lahat ng mga dakilang manggagawa (Because in the New Philippines, the government stands as a partner to all great workers).”
