President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Wednesday welcomed the newly implemented private sector wage adjustments in Central Visayas, noting that the increase will help boost worker earnings and assist local families.
Addressing attendees at the 26th National Public Employment Service Office (PESO) Congress in Cebu, the President highlighted the implementation of a P42 daily minimum wage increase for private sector employees, alongside a P500 monthly increase for domestic workers in Central Visayas, both taking effect on October 14.
Marcos urged jobseekers to work alongside the national government amid global economic uncertainties exacerbated by international tensions. He stated that the government remains committed to expanding labor opportunities while calling on workers to enhance their skills and leverage training programs.
“Our work is far from finished. We must continue working together, directing resources where they are needed the most, and remaining accountable for the results,” Marcos said.
He instructed relevant executive agencies to bolster social protection initiatives and establish sustainable livelihood paths for vulnerable workers.
During the gathering, the President unveiled seven flagship initiatives under the Department of Labor and Employment’s (DOLE) Tulong Panghanapbuhay sa Ating Disadvantaged/Displaced Workers (TUPAD) program: Trabahong-Dagat, SkillPass, Sagip-Trabaho, Tropa Negosyo Trabaho, KaHANAP, Match Fund LGU, and Tulong-Aral.
These innovations aim to improve temporary employment services, offer skills certification, and address labor issues including job information gaps and workforce skills mismatch.
“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,” Marcos also said, urging the Department of Education, Department of Labor and Employment, Department of Trade and Industry, Commission on Higher Education, and Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) to align training curricula with market demands.
Under the new components, SkillPass allows TUPAD workers to record their employment credentials and skills, with qualification assessments and certifications handled by TESDA. Tropa Negosyo Trabaho, also known as Puhunan Ko, offers seed capital between P50,000 and P500,000 to beneficiary groups of at least five members to establish microenterprises, supported by business mentoring.
Meanwhile, Sagip-Trabaho grants wage subsidies for up to 90 days to micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) adjusting to mandated wage hikes to mitigate potential layoffs. KaHANAP places job-ready participants into MSME environments for up to 90 days of supervised workplace exposure to facilitate regular hiring.
Match Fund LGU combines national and local funds to generate temporary jobs and support public services, environmental efforts, and municipal digitization. Tulong-Aral mobilizes education graduates and mentors via TUPAD to teach foundational reading, writing, and math to Grades 1 to 3 students in public venues. Finally, Trabahong-Dagat creates livelihood and enterprise options for coastal youth and fisherfolk, particularly during closed fishing seasons under the blue economy.
Marcos reported that the government conducted 1,554 job fairs across the country from January to August 2026, leading to 65,534 immediate hires.
Data from the PESO program indicated a placement rate of over 91 percent for qualified applicants, with 111,509 youth assisted under the Special Program for Employment of Students and 19,455 participants taking part in the Government Internship Program in the first half of 2026.
The President added that TUPAD has delivered emergency employment support to 14.04 million individuals from the beginning of his administration up to August 2026.
“All these efforts underscore the importance of helping workers develop their skills, gain experience, and build secure livelihoods,” Marcos added.