Senate President Win Gatchalian is pushing for expanded employment opportunities to strengthen economic resilience, with 23 job fairs organized by his office generating 2,874 on-the-spot hires nationwide.

The employment initiatives have attracted 12,166 job seekers, with more applicants undergoing recruitment and hiring processes.

Gatchalian underscored the urgency of creating sustainable employment opportunities as the country’s unemployment rate reached 5.3 percent in August, amid rising inflation and economic uncertainty.

“Importante na magkaroon ng maayos na trabaho ang ating mga kababayan. Hindi lang dapat ayuda ang binibigay ng gobyerno kundi ang pagkakataon na makapaghanap buhay sila ng maayos,” Gatchalian said.

The job fairs, conducted in partnership with the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) and concerned local government units, covered Metro Manila cities, including Valenzuela, Muntinlupa, Quezon City, Parañaque, Las Piñas, Manila, Caloocan, Makati, Pasig, and Malabon, as well as Pateros.

Similar employment activities were held in San Fernando City, Pampanga; Calbayog City, Samar; and Tacloban and Ormoc cities in Leyte.

Gatchalian said more job fairs are scheduled across the country in the coming months to connect qualified applicants directly with employers and provide opportunities for stable, regular employment.

“Simple lang ang layunin natin. Gusto nating magkaroon ng pagkakataon ang mga kwalipikadong jobseekers na magkaroon ng maayos at regular na trabaho,” he added.

The Senate President maintained that expanding access to decent employment, rather than relying solely on government financial assistance, is crucial to helping Filipino families achieve long-term economic stability.