Wazzup Pilipinas!?
MAKATI CITY, 27 March 2026—The nationwide Bagong Pilipinas Serbisyo Fair (BPSF) rollout has resulted in the immediate hiring of at least 1,488 graduating Senior High School (SHS) and Alternative Learning System (ALS) learners, delivering on a mandate from President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. to bridge the gap between graduation and employment.
The joint initiative by the Department of Education (DepEd) and the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) mobilized around 40 schools across all regions to serve as one-stop shops for pre-employment services from the government and job vacancies.
During the synchronized implementation last Wednesday, at least 1,188 SHS Technical-Vocational-Livelihood (TVL) graduates and ALS learners secured jobs instantly, adding to the 300 learners hired on the spot during earlier pilot runs in Metro Manila, Sorsogon, Cebu, and Davao del Norte.
Around 40 percent of qualified jobseekers were hired directly at the BPSF.
Education Secretary Sonny Angara emphasized that the BPSF alleviates the financial burden on families by bringing government agencies and employers under one roof.
“In times of crisis, it is our duty to bring government services and real-world opportunities closer to our learners to ensure they have a fighting chance as they enter the workforce,” Secretary Angara said.
“By eliminating the high costs of pre-employment requirements, we empower our graduates to focus on building their careers immediately.”
DOLE Undersecretary Carmela Torres of the Employment and Human Resource Development Cluster said the partnership with DepEd ensures that graduates, especially first time jobseekers, are provided with expanded access to employment opportunities.
“We want our youth to know that the government is listening and providing the necessary assistance and services as they take their first steps toward a career. Through the BPSF, we are not just offering jobs; we are offering employment pathways,” Undersecretary Torres said.
Beyond job placements, at least 5,975 SHS-TVL graduates and ALS learners availed of free pre-employment documents, such as birth certificates and NBI and police clearances, to facilitate their school-to-work transition.
The initiative complies with the First Time Jobseekers Assistance Act or Republic Act No. 11261, which was co-authored by Secretary Angara during his tenure in the Senate.
Among those hired on the spot, Trexie Estayan, a Grade 12 TVL learner from Irosin, Sorsogon, expressed immense gratitude at the accessibility of job opportunities.
“Ang hirap po talaga magsimula pagkatapos grumaduate. Hindi ko po alam kung saan ako pupunta, kung saan ako magsisimula. Pero dito sa Serbisyo Fair, nandito na pala lahat,” Estayan said.
Ross is known as the Pambansang Blogger ng Pilipinas - An Information and Communication Technology (ICT) Professional by profession and a Social Media Evangelist by heart.
