Manila: A total of 2,297 job applicants were hired on the spot during the recently concluded "Handog ng Pangulo 2025" job fairs conducted by the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) in various parts of the country.

According to Philippines News Agency, a preliminary report from the Bureau of Local Employment (BLE) revealed that 2,297 out of 14,240 registered job seekers were hired on the spot. Among these, 57 were senior high school graduates and 24 were beneficiaries of the Tulong Panghanapbuhay sa Ating Disadvantaged Workers (TUPAD) program.

The report highlighted that most of the new hires were for entry-level positions, such as production operators (349), service crew (190), and cashiers (168). Calabarzon emerged as the region with the highest placement rate at 55.84 percent, followed by the Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR) at 29.03 percent, and the National Capital Region (NCR) at 23.54 percent.

Additionally, the BLE reported that 11,145 individuals benefited from the Government Internship Program (GIP), receiving around PHP46.94 million. The Special Program for the Employment of Students (SPES) supported 6,100 individuals with a total of PHP30.89 million. Under the JobStart Philippines Program (JSP), 102 beneficiaries received allowances totaling PHP735,450.

The Adjustment Measures Program (AMP) also aided 667 individuals with a total of PHP54.79 million. Furthermore, the TUPAD program provided temporary wage employment to 79,004 disadvantaged workers, with total wages amounting to PHP442.4 million. The DOLE's Integrated Livelihood Program granted PHP214 million in livelihood assistance to 9,728 beneficiaries.

The "Handog ng Pangulo" initiative aligns with President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.'s commitment to bring government initiatives closer to Filipinos, featuring simultaneous job fairs and the distribution of livelihood assistance and cash grants across the country on September 13.