A TOTAL of 1,488 graduating Senior High School (SHS) and Alternative Learning System (ALS) learners secured jobs on the spot through the Bagong Pilipinas Serbisyo Fair (BPSF), underscoring the government’s push to fast-track youth employment.

According to the Department of Education (DepEd), the initiative—conducted in partnership with the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE)—mobilized around 40 schools nationwide as one-stop hubs for pre-employment services and job opportunities.

During the synchronized rollout on Wednesday, at least 1,188 SHS Technical-Vocational-Livelihood graduates and ALS learners were immediately hired. This adds to the 300 learners who previously landed jobs during pilot runs in Metro Manila, Sorsogon, Cebu, and Davao del Norte.

Education Secretary Sonny Angara highlighted the program’s impact in easing the financial burden on families by bringing government agencies and employers together in a single venue.

“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,” 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 emphasized that the partnership with DepEd expands access to opportunities, particularly for first-time jobseekers.

“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,” Torres said.

“Through the BPSF, we are not just offering jobs—we are opening employment pathways.”