Zamboanga City — In a joint effort to support sustainable livelihood and employment opportunities, the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) successfully conducted yet another Job Fair for Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) beneficiaries today, July 8 2025, at the Zamboanga City Coliseum.

The event, dubbed as Livelihood and Employment Caravan, was held in partnership with the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), the Public Employment Service Office (PESO), and various private companies, aiming to assist 4Ps beneficiaries who are set to exit the program and transition toward economic self-sufficiency.

No less than the City Mayor, Hon. Khymer Olaso, attended the event and showed support for the activity.

Over 600 program beneficiaries attended the event, with 68 HOTS or individuals hired on the spot by participating employers.

Nelia U. Dusal, 37, mother of 5 from Barangay Pasonanca, tried her luck to land a job today. All of her children are still in school which are supported by the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps). Dusal has been a beneficiary of the program since 2 years ago. Her husband, a construction worker, despite working tirelessly, earns only a meager income to support the daily needs of the family.

“Usahay naay trabaho, usahay wala cay walay materyales, moingon ang amo stop sa karon kay walay materyal (My husband’s job is not regular. There are days when the boss asks for the construction to pause because they have no budget for construction materials),” Nelia said about their daily struggle.

That’s when she decided to look for a job because she cannot just rely on her husband. She felt that she needed to augment the family’s income. Today, Nelia is one of the hundreds of job-seekers who were initially profiled by the 4Ps for employment facilitation. Luckily, after the interview, she was accepted as a Filling Liner at a canning factory.

“Naa koy ikadagdag na budget para sa akoang mga estudyante,” said Dusal during an interview.

468 job vacancies were offered on the day by 15 local employers. Various sectors, including retail, construction, manufacturing, and services, offered employment opportunities tailored to the skills and capabilities of the job seekers. In addition to job placements, livelihood support and skills training referrals were also provided.

DSWD Regional Director, Riduan P. Hadjimuddin, emphasized the importance of inter-agency collaboration in empowering former 4Ps beneficiaries. He also highlighted the role of the beneficiary in helping themselves.

“Let us help ourselves so that when the time comes that we exit from the [4Ps] program, alam natin kung paano makatawid,” Regional Director Hadjimuddin said.

Representatives from DOLE and PESO also highlighted the government’s commitment to inclusive growth by supporting marginalized communities through employment facilitation and skills development.

Other national government agencies who participated are: Pag-IBIG, SSS, Philhealth, PSA, DICT, DA, DTI, DOST, DSWD (SLP), PNP, Tetuan Health Unit. Also present is the Kids Who Farm, a partner of the DSWD in promoting nutrition to 4Ps beneficiaries.

This Job Fair in Zamboanga City is the third leg of the Livelihood and Employment Caravan following the successful activities held in Ipil, Zamboanga Sibugay and Pagadian, Zamboanga Del Sur last June 24 and 26, respectively. The last leg will be conducted in Dipolog, Zamboanga Del Norte on July 16, 2025.

This effort forms part of the government’s broader exit strategy for 4Ps beneficiaries, focusing on long-term empowerment through employment and entrepreneurship opportunities.