Pasay City: Labor Secretary Bienvenido Laguesma has expressed optimism that 25 to 30 percent of job seekers attending Labor Day job fairs in Metro Manila will be hired on the spot. The main event took place at the SMX Convention Center, where Laguesma shared his hopes during an interview on Thursday.

According to Philippines News Agency, the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) has organized 14 job fair sites throughout Metro Manila, including prominent malls and commercial centers. At the SMX Convention Center alone, over 1,000 job seekers registered for the event, with more than 20 individuals securing employment by Thursday afternoon.

Aside from those hired on the spot, Laguesma is optimistic about a significant number of "nearly hired" job seekers who need to submit documents or undergo final screening. He has directed DOLE regional offices to support these individuals in securing employment.

The job fairs are part of this year's Labor Day theme, "Manggagawang Pilipino, Kaagapay sa Pag-unlad, Sandigan ng Mas Matatag na Bagong Pilipinas." Alongside the job fairs, DOLE is distributing over PHP2.57 billion in assistance through its Integrated Livelihood and Emergency Employment Program (DILEEP), benefiting over 406,000 workers nationwide.

Of those receiving assistance, approximately 389,613 individuals are covered under the Tulong Panghanapbuhay sa Ating Disadvantaged/Displaced Workers (TUPAD) program, while 17,168 are receiving livelihood grants through the DOLE Integrated Livelihood Program (DILP). CALABARZON received the highest allocation, with PHP457.8 million for nearly 76,000 beneficiaries, followed by Western Visayas, Eastern Visayas, and the Davao Region.

In addition to employment initiatives, the Kadiwa ng Pangulo initiative was launched in 1,170 sites across the country, offering workers and the general public access to affordable, locally sourced produce.