Senior high school (SHS) graduates across the country are getting a much-needed boost in their job hunt as the Department of Education (DepEd) and the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) opened dedicated “Green Lanes” in Labor Day job fairs to accelerate their entry into the workforce.
This strategic collaboration aims to provide immediate employment pathways for young Filipinos, helping families secure stable income through their newest breadwinners.
Education Secretary Sonny Angara said the initiative fulfills the mandate of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to uplift the lives of the underprivileged and bridge the gap between education and employment.
“Tungkulin nating ilapit ang serbisyo ng gobyerno at tunay na oportunidad sa ating mga mag-aaral alinsunod sa pangarap ni Pangulong Bongbong Marcos na hanguin ang bawat pamilyang Pilipino mula sa hirap,” Angara said.
The Labor Day job fairs were held simultaneously in various strategic sites across every region to ensure localized access. DOLE identified around 70 sites nationwide, primarily located in malls, offering over 230,000 employment opportunities to jobseekers.
To avail of the Job Fair Green Lane, an express entry privilege that allows SHS graduates to bypass long queues and reach employers faster, applicants only need to present valid credentials such as their school ID and a certificate of completion or graduation.
The effectiveness of this socio-economic strategy was previously showcased during the Bagong Pilipinas Serbisyo Fair (BPSF) rollout last March, where over 1,400 SHS and Alternative Learning System (ALS) graduates were hired on the spot.
During that rollout, around 40 schools nationwide were transformed into one-stop hubs offering jobs and support for graduates.
Over 5,900 SHS graduates received free pre-employment documents, such as birth certificates and NBI and police clearances. This move effectively removed the high costs that often prevent those in financial distress from applying for work in the first place.
“Sa pamamagitan ng Green Lane at pag-alis ng bayad sa dokumento, binabawasan natin ang pasanin ng mga magulang at binibigyan ang mga graduates ng pagkakataong agad na makatulong sa kani-kanilang mga tahanan,” Angara said.
The initiative also builds upon the First Time Jobseekers Assistance Act, or Republic Act No. 11261, where Angara was the principal author during his tenure in the Senate.
The law institutionalizes government support for youth seeking to break the cycle of poverty. By fast-tracking employment through these specialized lanes, DepEd and DOLE are working to ensure that a high school diploma translates directly into food on the table and a brighter future for Filipino families.