Among the beneficiaries were marginalized workers, women, senior citizens, indigenous peoples, parents of child laborers, Persons with Disabilities (PWDs), and drivers.

According to DOLE, these livelihood opportunities include mushroom production, rice retailing, community stores, agri supply trading project and fish gear and accessories supply store.

Payment for TUPAD or Tulong Panghanapbuhay sa Ating Disadvantaged/Displaced Workers, Special Program for Employment of Students (SPES) stipend, Government Internship Program (GIP), and Kabuhayan checks were also released at the DOLE field offices in Aklan, Antique, Capiz, and Negros Occidental.

Meanwhile, the recent job fair resulted in 25 job applicants who were hired on the spot and 122 near hired job seekers.

DOLE 6 regional director Sixto Rodriguez, Jr. advised the near hires to process immediately the requirements for their employment.

“The government is committed to provide matatag na trabaho or stable employment for all Filipinos. With more stable and secure jobs, workers can plan for their future, save for retirement and enjoy a better quality of life,” Rodriguez said.

DOLE also noted the big chunk of employment vacancies were from Information Technology-Business process outsourcing (IT-BPO) firms, manpower services, and transport cooperatives.  (JBG/LMLE/PIA Iloilo)