On 16 February 2023, the DOLE, through the Bureau of Local Employment, held a ceremonial signing event for the Memoranda of Understanding (MOU) forged between the Department and four private employers for the implementation of the JobStart Philippines Program (JSP) and the Special Program for Employment of Students (SPES). Lay Bare Waxing Philippines and Panasonic Manufacturing Philippines Corporation expressed intent to implement the JSP, while San Jose Dialysis Center and Lucendi showed interest towards  JSP and SPES.  JSP and SPES are youth employability programs handled by the Bureau.  

Secretary Bienvenido E. Laguesma opened the program by acknowledging the presence of the private employers, represented by President Juan Paolo Hilario (Lay Bare Waxing Philippines), President Yasushi Kondo (Panasonic Manufacturing Philippines Corporation), Vice President Gabriel Francisco Gonzalez (San Jose Dialysis Center), and General Manager Jacqueline Dionisio (Lucendi).   

The Labor Secretary emphasized that partnership lies at the core of JSP and SPES and that the budding relationships between the DOLE and these companies are of great benefit to the health and wellness, electronics, healthcare, and retail sectors. Secretary Laguesma ended his speech by vowing to produce diligent and competitive workers that would serve the partner employers and the nation as a whole with loyalty and excellence.  

Each Head of Office also delivered brief messages about their main objectives in partnering with the Department to implement two of its youth employability programs. Among the key areas emphasized were conducting high skill training, aiding in economic recovery, and providing more inclusive employment opportunities for the Filipino youth.  

The program then proceeded to the much-awaited signing of the MOUs. Assistant Secretary Paul Vincent Añover closed the program with a speech highlighting the importance of continuously diversifying JSP and SPES to cater to more clients and stakeholders and providing a wider array of services to the Filipino people. He ended his message with a strong statement about the partner employers’ crucial roles in our youth’s entrance to the labor market through the Technical Training and Internship offered by JobStart, and the real-world of work experience extended by SPES.  

Collaborations like these, especially for programs like JobStart Philippines and the Special Program for Employment of Students, aim to improve the delivery of youth employment facilitation to young Filipinos who are not in education, employment, or training (NEET). Geared toward contributing to the current administration’s key employment generators, these partnerships with Lay Bare Waxing Philippines, Panasonic Manufacturing Philippines Corporation, San Jose Dialysis Center, and Lucendi are just the beginning of JSP and SPES’ trajectory towards more diversity, particularly in the healthcare and wellness, manufacturing, and retail sectors. The DOLE’s engagement with partner employers like them brings forth more efficient mechanisms in bridging labor and its youth market, the growing economy, and the evolving needs of the Filipino people.

END/CAGavino