The nationwide Bagong Pilipinas Serbisyo Fair (BPSF) rollout has resulted in the immediate hiring of at least 1,488 graduating Senior High School (SHS) and Alternative Learning System (ALS) learners.

The joint initiative by the Department of Education (DepEd) and the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) mobilized around 40 schools across all regions to serve as one-stop shops for pre-employment services from the government and job vacancies in line with President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s directive to bridge the gap between graduation and employment.

During the synchronized implementation last Wednesday, at least 1,188 SHS Technical-Vocational-Livelihood (TVL) graduates and ALS learners secured jobs instantly, adding to the 300 learners hired on the spot during earlier pilot runs in Metro Manila, Sorsogon, Cebu, and Davao del Norte.

Around 40 percent of qualified jobseekers were hired directly at the BPSF.

Education Secretary Sonny Angara emphasized that the BPSF alleviates the financial burden on families by bringing government agencies and employers under one roof.

“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 in a news release Friday.

“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 said the partnership with DepEd ensures that graduates, especially first-time jobseekers, are provided with expanded access to employment opportunities.

“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. Through the BPSF, we are not just offering jobs; we are offering employment pathways,” Torres said.

Beyond job placements, at least 5,975 SHS-TVL graduates and ALS learners availed of free pre-employment documents, such as birth certificates, and National Bureau of Investigation and police clearances, to facilitate their school-to-work transition.

The initiative complies with the First Time Jobseekers Assistance Act or Republic Act 11261, which was co-authored by Angara during his tenure as senator. (PNA)