For Syruth A. Lovendino, Labor Day 2025 was more than a public holiday. It marked a fresh start.

A former overseas Filipino worker (OFW), Syruth returned home from Qatar after two years as a domestic helper, choosing to stay in the Philippines to care for her two children. Since then, finding a stable job had been difficult. But on May 1, at a bustling job fair in Legazpi City, she was among those finally hired on the spot.

“Masayang-masaya ako. Sa wakas magkakaroon na ako ng trabaho,” she said, her voice trembling with emotion. “Ang hirap ngayon na walang trabaho lalo na kapag tight ang budget, kaya blessing ang 4Ps sa amin… Kahit kasama kami sa 4Ps, hindi ako dito aasa.”

Syruth is one of many beneficiaries of the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) who found new hope during the 123rd Labor Day Job Fair Caravan, held nationwide in partnership with the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE). The initiative, part of the “Trabaho sa Bagong Pilipinas” campaign, aimed to open employment pathways for 4Ps households transitioning toward self-reliance.

The event unfolded across key regions, drawing in job seekers and providing more than just job vacancies—it offered dignity, skills training, and a renewed sense of purpose.

In Davao City, 38 4Ps beneficiaries participated in the job fair hosted at SM Ecoland, with nine hired on the spot. In Zamboanga Peninsula, 154 job seekers attended the fair at KCC Mall de Zamboanga, resulting in 19 immediate hires.

Among them were Marivic Bronola and Sheryl Ann Monopolia, both mothers and 4Ps beneficiaries. Their story echoes the grit of thousands of families striving to break free from intergenerational poverty.

“Nagsusumikap kami para sa mga anak namin,” said Marivic. “Malaki ang tulong ng Pantawid pero kailangan pa rin namin magtrabaho. Ito ang gusto naming ipakita sa mga anak namin.”

Meanwhile, in the Bicol Region, at least 196 attendees flocked to the fair held at Ayala Malls in Legazpi City. The number may seem modest, but every individual hired—eight on the spot—represents a step forward not just for one person, but for entire families.

Aside from job placements, the fair provided career counseling, resume writing workshops, and mock interviews—essential tools to help 4Ps beneficiaries prepare for long-term employment and eventual program graduation.

The caravan is a clear demonstration of how 4Ps is evolving beyond conditional cash transfers. As underscored by President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr., the program now emphasizes economic mobility, skills development, and independence.

According to the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), this milestone initiative supports 4Ps households in building sustainable livelihoods, aligned with the broader vision of “Bagong Pilipinas”.

As the first wave of 4Ps beneficiaries prepares to exit the program, events like the Labor Day Job Fair serve as a powerful reminder: social protection can be a bridge to opportunity—and for many families, that journey has already begun. #