At least 51 jobseekers got jobs in private companies under the JobStart Philippines Program, a partnership between the Public Employment and Services Office (PESO) and the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), on December 11, 2025.
Lilibeth Pantinople, the PESO head, said that they were part of the 85 graduates that applied to private companies, surpassing the program’s employment target.
“Happy pod kay mi kay out of 85, 51 ang na hire. More than the target (We are happy because out of 85, 51 were hired. It’s more than the target),” she said.
The program specifically caters to youth aged 18 to 24 years old, who are not in school or training and have less than a year of work experience.
Before deployment, the participants underwent 10 days of life skills training and technical skills training to prepare them for workplace demands.
One of the graduates, Rio Nagar, who was hired through the JobStart Program and now a supervisor at Mandarin Tea Garden, shared how the program equips them with the right attitude, skills and confidence to thrive in the workplace.
“Nalipay ko kay na survive namo ang training. Daghan mig natun’an og daghan pod mig na experience na pagsulay na amoang na agian. Gitabangan mi nila para ma improve amoang skills. Parehas atong unsaon pag entertain og customer. Thankful mi kay naa nami diria, nigraduate na. Dako kaayong tabang ilabi na sa akoang kaugalingon, sa akong personal growth ug pamilya (I am happy because we survived the training. We have learned a lot and they helped us improve our skills like on how to entertain a customer. We are thankful because we already graduated. It’s a big help especially to myself, my personal growth and family),” he said.
Pantinople added that while the 51 graduates are now employed, others opted to return to school or pursue personal paths.
During her speech, she also expressed her gratitude to their partner companies for opening opportunities to Dabawenyo young job seekers.
“Thank you for opening your doors and your heart to these young individuals. Your support has shaped their journey and invested in their future,” she added.
The PESO continues to serve as a vital bridge for unemployed youth and access to sustainable employment opportunities. CIO
