The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) is set to offer new opportunities for graduates of the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) by organizing a series of job fairs.

With a goal of empowering 12,000 individuals, these job fairs—set to kick off on January 31—aim to support the transition of 4Ps beneficiaries into stable employment, further enhancing their livelihood opportunities.

“These series of job fairs, called ‘Trabaho para sa 4Ps,’ are intended for graduating 4Ps beneficiaries to ensure they don’t slip back into poverty,” said Secretary Rex Gatchalian in a statement issued on January 28.

DSWD is targeting 12,000 graduating members of the 4Ps for the series of job fairs, which will begin in the National Capital Region (NCR).

Gatchalian explained that, according to data from the 4Ps National Program Management Office (NPMO), at least 147,000 household beneficiaries in the NCR are expected to graduate this year.

Exclusive job fairs for 4Ps

A joint undertaking of DSWD, the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA), and other government agencies, the series of job fairs will be exclusive to graduating 4Ps members.

“Each graduating 4Ps family is entitled to one working adult who will get employed through the series of job fairs for household beneficiaries, whether they have become self-sufficient or no longer have eligible children for cash grants,” Gatchalian said.

The DOLE will coordinate with business establishments hiring new employees, while TESDA will provide upskilling training for 4Ps members to equip them with the necessary skills for employment.

The one-stop shop will feature booths from DSWD, DOLE, TESDA, Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA), National Bureau of Investigation (NBI), Philippine National Police (PNP), Social Security System (SSS), Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR), and PhilHealth.

Upon registering at the one-stop shop, 4Ps beneficiaries will receive an orientation on how the job fair operates.

Each 4Ps member will receive P3,000 in financial assistance to cover the cost of required pre-employment documents, including NBI clearance, police clearance, PSA-issued birth certificate, PhilSys National ID, SSS number, BIR-issued Tax Identification Number (TIN), and other similar requirements.

DSWD stated that the 4Ps-NPMO will hold a series of graduation ceremonies nationwide this year, called “Pugay Tagumpay,” for household beneficiaries set to exit the program, especially those who have reached a level of self-sufficiency.

The 4Ps is the government's flagship anti-poverty program, designed to break the intergenerational cycle of poverty by providing cash grants for the education and health of children under 18 years old.