President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr. led the celebration of the 124th Labor day in General Santos City through the nationwide simultaenous job fair organized by the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE).

Thousands of job seekers flocked to the event as around 4,000 local and overseas job vacancies were offered by employers in the SOCCSKSARGEN Region.

This is part of the more than 200,000 local and overseas job openings available for applicants across the country.

“Try ko mag-apply overseas para dunay dako-dako nga oportunidad sa gawas,” job seeker, Stephen Cabante, said.

Marcos said the government continues to create opportunities for Filipinos despite the challenges brought by the economic crisis.

“Hindi po kami tumitigil sa paghahanap ng mga paraan upang dumami pa ang trabaho, kabuhayan, at mga oportunidad para sa ating lahat,” Marcos said.

The President added that around P2 trillion in investment was approved in 2025, which will generate approximately 150,000 jobs nationwide.

“Mula June 2022 hanggang Pebrero ngayon taon, lampas 6,600 job fair na ang naganap natin sa buong bansa. Higit 1.5 million job seekers ang ating inalalayan at sa bilang na ito, lampas 250 job seekers ang hired on the spot,” Marcos said.

Marcos said job fairs will be conducted in 94 areas across the country until the end of the month.

The government also continues to review minimum wages in the regions.

“Naipasa ang 89 wage orders mula Hunyo 2023 hanggang Abril 2026. Kabilang dito ang wage hike na epektibo ngayon araw tulad ng Rehiyon 10 at sa Region 13,” the President added.

DOLE assured assistance for overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) affected by the crisis in the Middle East through employment and livelihood programs.

“Yung programa ng DOLE, yung mga na displace sa trabaho, yung cash for work, yung programa na TUPAD, energy employment, yung mabibigyan ng trabaho ang mga na displace,” DOLE Undersecretary Benedicto Ernesto Bitonio, said.

Marcos also led the distribution of 10 kilos of rice to 5,000 farmers and fisherfolk under the Local Government Support Fund in Lagao Gymnasium.

A total of P33.6 million from the socio-civic project fund was also released as financial assistance to 26 barangays in General Santos City and Sarangani Province for programs intended for the poor. Each target beneficiary will receive six 10-kilo sacks of rice every year.

“Maayo unta isa ka sako no…maayo unta isa ka sako. Wala wala me kuan [tanum] kay walay tubig. Wala mi tanum kay laya ang kuan kanang mga basakan laya ang mga sagbot,” a farmer, Felipa Golosen, said.