MANILA, Philippines — Reinforcing the promise of the K to 12 Program as a direct bridge to employment, at least 1,148 Senior High School (SHS) graduates were hired on the spot during Labor Day Job Fairs held nationwide.
The milestone underscores the growing confidence of employers in the preparedness and employability of SHS graduates. Of the roughly 11,000 graduates who joined the job fairs, many walked away with opportunities that offer not only immediate income but also a chance to help ease the financial burdens carried by their families.
“In line with President Bongbong Marcos’ vision of strengthening the education sector, the success of our SHS graduates proves that we are on the right path toward a brighter future for Filipino youth,” Education Secretary Sonny Angara said.
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Angara stressed that creating direct employment opportunities for graduates remains a crucial step in breaking the cycle of poverty.
“Our goal is to further expand these opportunities so that every Senior High School graduate is equipped with the skills and confidence needed to secure decent employment,” he added.
A key feature of this year’s Labor Day Job Fairs was the establishment of dedicated Green Lanes by the Department of Education (DepEd) and the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE). The express lanes allowed SHS graduates to skip long queues by simply presenting a School ID or Certificate of Completion, streamlining the application process for first-time job seekers.
For Angel Balacayo, a graduate of Pacific Southbay College Inc. in General Santos City, the initiative opened the door to a long-awaited opportunity. Balacayo joined the Region 12 job fair in Koronadal City, hoping to find work and save for college after financial difficulties forced her to put higher education plans on hold.
Now employed at KCC Mall of Gensan, Balacayo said the priority lane made her first job application experience smoother and faster.
“The priority lane during the Job Fair was a huge help for Senior High School graduates like me because it sped up the entire job application process,” she said.
The initiative builds on the momentum of the Bagong Pilipinas Serbisyo Fair (BPSF) conducted in March, where more than 1,400 SHS and Alternative Learning System (ALS) graduates were likewise hired on the spot through one-stop service hubs.
In the same fairs, around 5,900 graduates also received free pre-employment requirements such as NBI and police clearances under the First Time Jobseekers Assistance Act (Republic Act No. 11261).
During his time in the Senate, Angara was the principal author of the law, which institutionalized government support for first-time job seekers by waiving fees for essential government-issued documents.
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By dismantling the financial barriers that often prevent young Filipinos from entering the workforce, DepEd is helping ensure that a high school diploma becomes more than just a credential — but a pathway to economic stability and a better future for Filipino families. /atm
