BAGUIO CITY – The Department of Labor and Employment-Cordillera Administrative Region (DOLE-CAR) kicked off 2025 with a series of successful employment and livelihood activities aimed at empowering job seekers and supporting communities.
Highlighting Opportunities for Job Seekers
On January 31, 2025, DOLE-CAR in partnership with the city government of Baguio City, through its Public Employment Services (PESO), and the SM City Baguio hosted a Job Fair at SM City Baguio’s Main Atrium, bringing together nineteen (19) local employers and offering a total of 1,050 job vacancies. The event catered to fresh graduates and job seekers, providing a platform to connect with potential employers.
A dedicated DOLE information desk was set up at the venue, where technical personnel shared insights on DOLE programs and services while addressing labor-related queries. The job fair also featured a One-Stop-Shop corner, where partner agencies, including the Philippine Statistics Authority, National Bureau of Investigation, PhilHealth, Social Security System, and Pag-IBIG Fund assisted more than one hundred seventy-two (172) jobseekers and walk-in clients.
Additionally, 42 participants registered for the Government Internship Program (GIP), gaining access to valuable orientation sessions during the event.
Cheers for the Hired-on-the-Spot
Applause and admiration greeted the 18 successful hired-on-the-spot applicants, composed of 12 females, who are mostly first-time-jobseekers. They will start their chosen careers in various industries, such as customer service representatives, bread and pastry bakers, and café attendants. They expressed excitement, hopefulness, and gratitude.
For Reniel and Rhine, both fresh graduates from college, securing employment will allow them to remain productive and help in their family’s daily expenses.
Former schoolmates Lenard and Aye Jaye noted how thankful they are for being employed. They mentioned how difficult it is to get work nowadays, but they are more than eager to learn new skills for their respective new careers.
TUPAD Program Benefits Hundreds
DOLE-CAR extended financial assistance through its Tulong Panghanapbuhay sa Ating Disadvantaged/Displaced Workers (TUPAD) program on January 30, 2025, to more than a thousand workers in the province.
A total amount of PhP4,054,300 was distributed to 626 beneficiaries in Atok, Benguet, while the DOLE-CAR in coordination with the Baguio city government, conducted orientations on TUPAD and Occupational Safety and Health for 356 beneficiaries on January 31,2025, at the PFVR Gymnasium in Baguio City.
Livelihood Awarding Uplifts Communities
Demonstrating the department’s commitment to community development through a series of livelihood awarding activities, the DOLE Baguio-Benguet Provincial Office (DOLE-BBPO) distributed PhP588,837.75 worth of livelihood kits to twenty (20) beneficiaries. Certificates of Entitlement with a total amount of PhP767,040.00 was awarded to thirty (30) beneficiaries on January 30, 2025. Finally, on January 31, 2025, two groups composed of four members each, received livelihood kits valued at PhP114,502.00 and PhP113,775.00, respectively. Similarly, the Mountain Province Provincial Office (MPPO) provided livelihood kits worth PhP389,695.00 to twenty-eight (28) beneficiaries.
To maximize the impact of these livelihood programs, the Regional Tripartite Wages and Productivity Board and the Department of Trade and Industry conducted productivity and financial literacy lectures for the beneficiaries. These efforts, carried out in close coordination with local government units and other partners, underscore DOLE-CAR’s dedication to fostering employment and improving livelihoods.
Through these initiatives, DOLE-CAR continues to pave the way for a brighter, more resilient workforce, emphasizing the power of collaboration among government agencies, LGUs, and the private sector in uplifting communities across the Cordillera region. By Daryll B. Ponard
