The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) on Thursday acknowledged the Philippine Statistics Authority’s (PSA) latest report showing a decline in the number of unemployed Filipinos from 1.94 million in February to 1.93 million in March.

Assistant Secretary Irene Dumlao, the DSWD’s spokesperson, said the drop in the number of unemployed individuals may be partly attributed to the “Trabaho sa Bagong Pilipinas para sa Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps)” job fair, an inter-agency effort of the administration of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.

“This modest drop in the number of unemployed Filipinos reflects a positive development: more Filipinos, particularly from poor households, now have stable sources of income and are more capable of putting food on the table and meeting their daily needs,” Dumlao said in a statement.

“Ito ang vision ni President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. at Secretary Rex Gatchalian – magkaroon ng trabaho ang miyembro ng 4Ps upang masiguro na hindi na sila babalik sa kahirapan (This is the vision of President Marcos and Secretary Gatchalian – for 4Ps members to have jobs so they won’t return to poverty).”

In partnership with other government agencies, the Trabaho sa Bagong Pilipinas provides graduating 4Ps members with local and international employment opportunities, livelihood support, and other services of government agencies.

“These interventions aim to promote sustainable self-reliance and break the cycle of poverty,” she said.

Since its launch end of January, the 12 job fairs conducted nationwide resulted in 980 4Ps members hired on the spot while more than 3,000 were waitlisted, awaiting feedback from employers or were completing employment requirements.

Dumlao said the figure reflects the willingness of 4Ps beneficiaries to avail of government initiatives aimed at alleviating poverty and investing in human capital.

“The DSWD is committed to ensuring that 4Ps graduates do not just leave the program but are provided access to other forms of government assistance that will sustain the level of their well-being,” she said.

The one-stop shop Trabaho sa Bagong Pilipinas para sa 4Ps showcases booths from the DSWD, Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), Department of Agriculture, Department of Trade and Industry, Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA), Overseas Workers Welfare Administration, Philippine Statistics Authority, National Bureau of Investigation, Philippine National Police, Social Security System, Bureau of Internal Revenue, PhilHealth, Pag-IBIG, and the Office of the President.

Upon registration, the graduating 4Ps beneficiaries will undergo an orientation on the services offered by the participating government agencies.

After the orientation, the 4Ps members will be given PHP3,000 financial assistance each to pay for the pre-employment requirements, including medical examinations, as well as transportation allowance.

The DOLE will be in charge of coordinating with business establishments that are hiring new employees, while TESDA will conduct upskilling training among 4Ps members to ensure that they have the needed skills for employment.

The DSWD’s Sustainable Livelihood Program (SLP) will have a “Sulong Trabaho” SLP Employment Assistance Booth to orient the 4Ps beneficiaries on the SLP’s Employment Track. (PNA)