Fresh Programs Boost Skills, Livelihood for Metro Manila Workers

Photo courtesy of Philstar

A job and livelihood fair in Malabon City, held on January 24, 2026, facilitated employment connections for over 1,000 jobseekers from northern Metro Manila. The event, known as Serbisyong Pang-TRABAHO, took place at the Malabon Citisquare Mall, aiming to tackle issues of unemployment and underemployment by providing access to job openings, skills training, and employment resources. Led by TRABAHO Partylist Rep. Johanne Bautista, the initiative partners with the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) and the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW).

Rep. Bautista emphasized the program's commitment to ensuring all participating employers are government-licensed, to avoid illegal recruitment. "At para po sa kapanatagan ng lahat, sa ilalim po ng pangangasiwa ng DOLE at ng DMW, masisiguro po ninyo na walang scam at tunay ang mga trabaho na nandito ngayon," she asserted, highlighting the importance of legitimate job opportunities. The event also garnered support from celebrity advocate Melai Cantiveros-Francisco, who was moved by an applicant's previous experience with recruitment scams.

Malabon City officials, including Mayor Jeannie Sandoval and former Congressman Ricky Sandoval, were present to support the initiative. Councilors Maricar Torres and Payapa Ona, along with Malabon City Public Employment Service Office Manager Luziel Gutierrez, also participated in the fair, underscoring local support for employment initiatives.

Now running for the third time, Serbisyong Pang-TRABAHO previously conducted successful job fairs in Navotas and Caloocan. These efforts reflect ongoing attempts to sustainably improve employment rates and provide alternative livelihood options for residents in these areas, reported Philstar.

Key Takeaways

• The job fair aimed to assist over 1,000 jobseekers with legitimate opportunities.

• Collaborations with government departments ensured the legitimacy of the job offers.

• The initiative is part of ongoing efforts to address employment challenges.

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Adapted by ASEAN Now from Philstar 2026-01-31