President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. underscored the administration’s commitment to building a fair, transparent, and investor-friendly business environment in the country during the Job Fair + Skills E-Hub held at the SM Mall of Asia in Pasay City on Thursday.

Addressing job seekers and entrepreneurs, President Marcos said improving the country’s business climate is essential to generating more employment and attracting investments both local and international.

“Be assured that this Administration will continue to create a fair, transparent, and enabling business environment—one that encourages both local and foreign investments, and rewards persistence with progress,” President Marcos said.

The President stressed that the close partnership between the government and the private sector “has proven to be one of the strongest drivers of national development,” especially in creating jobs, providing skills training, and supporting Filipino workers and entrepreneurs.

President Marcos noted that since 2023, the government’s partnership with the Private Sector Advisory Council (PSAC) through Trabaho Para sa Bayan: J.O.B.S. (Job Opportunities Building Skills) has organized over 5,000 job fairs nationwide, reached 1.3 million job seekers, and helped at least 200,000 individuals get hired on the spot.

“In these times, when many Filipinos are having a hard time finding employment that matches their skills, their interests, and their aspirations, we recognize that this is our responsibility to ensure that assistance is something that meets them wherever they are,” the President said.

“Kaya po nandito tayo ngayon upang gawing mas madali, abot-kamay, at makabuluhan ang pagkakataong maghanap ng trabaho, madagdagan ang kasanayan, at magsimula ang kabuhayan,” President Marcos added.

Through the partnership of SM, Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), and Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT), President Marcos said the government was able to organize the Job Fair and Skills e-Hub at MOA, while DOLE simultaneously conducted job fairs in eight other sites nationwide.

“This hub brings together a large-scale job fair and digital upskilling… Our partners from the Asia Pacific College, the National University, and IBM are here to showcase their digital upskilling stations and demonstrate AI training—proof once again that the Filipino worker can and should not only adapt to the digital future but thrive in that digital future,” the President said.

In addition, the President said the government and its private partners are also hosting a holiday micro, small, and medium enterprise (MSME) bazaar at Ayala Malls by the Bay, celebrating Filipino entrepreneurship, and a one-stop service hub at Robinsons Manila featuring job fairs, mentoring sessions, and government service centers and assistance programs.

Meanwhile, President Marcos announced DOLE’s release of financial assistance to qualified beneficiaries under the Tulong Pang-hanapbuhay sa Ating Disadvantaged/Displaced Workers (TUPAD) program, giving immediate relief to affected workers.

In addition to the TUPAD payout, the agency distributed 19 sacks of rice to several bigasan enterprises to serve as seed capital and to boost their daily operations.

DOLE also awarded financial assistance checks to five (MSMEs) under its Adjustment Measures Program, said the President.

“We hope that government assistance would help you grow your business, improving enterprise viability, competitiveness, and productivity,” President Marcos said.

The President then encouraged job seekers to make the most of the opportunities available at the event. He reminded them that the job market is changing quickly and that learning new skills will help them stay competitive.

President Marcos also urged entrepreneurs to show the creativity and innovation of Filipino businesses and use the occasion “to build partnerships, explore new ideas, and envision bigger possibilities.”

“None of this would be possible without the support of the private sector, including our mall partners and the PSAC,” President Marcos said.

“Sa tulong ninyong lahat, napapalapit natin ang mga oportunidad sa bawat Pilipino upang magkaroon ang bawat isa ng mas maginhawa, mas maunlad, at mas masaganang buhay,” the President added. | PND