Philippines expands TRABAHO AGAD as DOLE connects 46,000 jobseekers to work in H1 2026

The Philippines' Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) is ramping up its employment facilitation and workforce development efforts under the TRABAHO AGAD initiative, as the government seeks to create more quality jobs and prepare Filipinos for an evolving labour market.

In his fifth State of the Nation Address (SONA), President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. reiterated the government's commitment to supporting displaced workers, including those affected by the ongoing crisis in the Middle East, through nationwide job fairs and employment assistance programmes.

Highlighting the results of the May 1 Labour Day job fairs, the President said nearly 100 events generated close to 300,000 job opportunities, with more than 6,000 jobseekers hired on the spot in a single day.

Following the President's directive, DOLE said it has intensified its employment initiatives under Labor Secretary Francis Tolentino's twin priorities of expanding access to jobs through TRABAHO AGAD and developing a "future-ready manggagawa" by equipping Filipino workers with industry-relevant skills.

From January to June 2026, DOLE organised 1,166 job fairs across the country, bringing together 18,916 employers offering more than two million local and overseas vacancies. The programme resulted in 46,361 jobseekers being hired on the spot, reflecting what the department described as stronger employment facilitation efforts.

During the 2026 Independence Day celebrations alone, 4,476 jobseekers secured employment through TRABAHO AGAD job fairs, marking an increase from previous years.

"These initiatives aim to bring quality employment opportunities closer to Filipino workers and make it easier for jobseekers to connect directly with employers," Secretary Tolentino said.

The department also highlighted the role of the country's Public Employment Service Offices (PESOs), which referred 1.197 million qualified jobseekers to employers for placement during the first half of 2026, strengthening employment services at the local level.

Alongside job placement, DOLE continues to invest in workforce readiness, particularly among young Filipinos. Between January and June 2026, 133,094 young people benefited from the department's youth employment programmes.

The Special Program for Employment of Students (SPES) provided short-term employment to 111,509 students during school breaks, while the Government Internship Program (GIP) enabled 19,455 aspiring public servants and first-time jobseekers to gain practical experience across government agencies.

DOLE also noted that revised GIP guidelines now place greater emphasis on structured, competency-based internships designed to support long-term professional development.

Meanwhile, the JobStart Program trained 2,130 young workers through life skills and technical training, paid internships and employment facilitation services aligned with industry requirements.

Secretary Tolentino said DOLE will continue strengthening collaboration with government agencies, employers and educational institutions to ensure workforce development programmes remain responsive to changing labour market needs while improving long-term employment outcomes for Filipino workers.