ILOILO CITY (PIA) — Close to 3,000 indigent Ilonggos who are beneficiaries of the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) benefit from the “Trabaho sa Bagong Pilipinas Para sa 4Ps” job fair organized by the Office of the President, in coordination with the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) and the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), and held on February 13 at the Iloilo Sports Complex in Iloilo City.
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. also graced the event where he assured the beneficiaries that the government under his administration is doing its best to help them and uplift their lives.
“Ito po ang ginagawa namin dahil alam naman po natin na mahirap po ang buhay ngayon at marami tayong pangangailangan kayat kung ano ang maitutulong ng pamahalaan, kung anong magagawa ng gobyerno sa inyo ay gagawin namin,” Marcos said in his message.
The job fair gave 4Ps beneficiaries the opportunity to seek employment from 30 participating employers with over 5,000 job vacancies.
DSWD assistant secretary for Specialized Programs under Operations Group Florentino Y. Loyola Jr., in his message, said that the program aims to uplift the lives of indigent Filipinos, creating a positive shift from short-term relief to sustainable livelihood.
“Ang inisyatibo pong ito ay napakanda dahil kayong 4Ps beneficiaries, ang gusto natin ay ang buhay ninyo ay patuloy na umangat at mabigyan po kayo ng mga bagong oportunidad, kagaya ng programang ito,” Loyola said.
On the other hand, beneficiaries expressed their gratitude to the government for giving them opportunities to gain self-sufficiency through the possible job employment.
“Tistingan ta lang para mabal-an kung makasulod ta sa ubra ukun indi. Pabor gid ni sa amon kay para bala sa mga wala na gid income, makakita gid sila di opportunity para sa ubra. Dako gid ni nga bulig sa amon,” said the 36-year-old Arlyn Janeo from Lapaz, Iloilo City.
Mark John Dela Peña from Passi City, in an interview, also expressed eagerness to find any job that fits him, citing that he would use the financial assistance to process documents needed for him to land an employment.
Aside from the job fair and distribution of cash assistance, the different government agencies also set up help desks to cater to queries of the public and provide assistance in the availing of its services, boosting President Marcos’ commitment to help the beneficiaries through government programs. (JNH/PIA Iloilo)
