PRESIDENT MARCOS LAUNCHES NEW TUPAD PROGRAMS

PRESIDENT Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. on Wednesday launched new employment programs aimed at helping Filipino workers develop their skills, access job opportunities, and build more sustainable livelihoods.

Speaking at the 26th National Public Employment Service Office (PESO) Congress, President Marcos introduced the Trabahong-Dagat, SkillPass, and Sagip-Trabaho programs under the Department of Labor and Employment’s (DOLE) seven flagship innovations for the Tulong Panghanapbuhay sa Ating Disadvantaged/Displaced Workers (TUPAD) program.

These initiatives aim to make temporary employment more responsive to workers’ needs while providing opportunities for skills training, certification, and livelihood development.

“For millions of Filipinos, employment is the means to provide for families, put their skills and education to good use, and create a more secure future for ourselves. Our duty as a government is to ensure that they have the opportunities to pursue these goals,” President Marcos said.

The President said the initiatives address continuing challenges faced by Filipino workers, including limited access to job information and employment services as well as the mismatch between workers’ skills and available jobs.

“Significant challenges continue to stand in the way. Limited access to job information, employment services, and livelihood opportunities remains a barrier to securing decent work. Skills mismatch continues to prevent workers from finding jobs suited to their capabilities, further resulting in unemployment and underemployment,” the President said.

And to address these concerns, the President has directed the Department of Education, Department of Labor and Employment, Department of Trade and Industry, Commission on Higher Education, and TESDA to align their training programs with labor market needs.

The President also cited the government’s employment programs, which have provided job opportunities and assistance to students, jobseekers, and disadvantaged workers.

President Marcos said that from January to August 2026, the government held 1,554 job fairs, hiring 65,534 individuals on the spot.

Under the Public Employment Service Office program, more than 91 percent of qualified jobseekers were successfully placed while 111,509 students and out-of-school youth benefited from the Special Program for Employment of Students during the first half of 2026.

Another 19,455 interns gained work experience through the Government Internship Program during the same period.

The President also reported that TUPAD had provided emergency employment assistance to 14.04 million beneficiaries since the start of his administration, as of August 2026.

“All these efforts underscore the importance of helping workers develop their skills, gain experience, and build secure livelihoods,” President Marcos added.

Meanwhile, President Marcos, through the DOLE, recognized five PESOs that earned Hall of Fame honors for their outstanding performance in employment facilitation.

The awardees were PESO Province of Antique in Region VI, PESO City of Biñan, Laguna, PESO Talavera, Nueva Ecija, PESO Jimenez, Misamis Occidental, and PESO Laguindingan, Misamis Oriental.

The event was attended by Labor Secretary Francis Tolentino, Presidential Assistant for the Visayas Philip Lo, Lapu-Lapu City Lone District Representative Junard Q. Chan, Cebu Governor Pamela Baricuatro, and Lapu-Lapu City Mayor Ma. Cynthia Chan.