The Department of Education (DepEd) and the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) launched dedicated green lanes at Labor Day job fairs nationwide on Friday, May 1, 2026, to accelerate the entry of Senior High School (SHS) graduates into the workforce.
Express Entry Privilege
The green lane provides an express entry privilege that allows SHS graduates to bypass long queues and reach employers faster. Applicants simply need to present valid credentials such as a school identification card and certificate of completion or graduation.
Government Commitment
Education Secretary Sonny Angara said the initiative fulfills the mandate of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. to uplift the lives of the underprivileged. "It is our responsibility to bring government services and real opportunities closer to our learners in line with the aspirations of President Marcos to lift every Filipino family out of poverty," Angara stated in a news release.
Nationwide Job Fairs
The Labor Day job fairs were simultaneously held in various strategic sites nationwide to ensure localized access. DOLE identified around 70 sites, primarily located in malls, providing over 230,000 employment opportunities.
Previous Success
The effectiveness of the socio-economic strategy was showcased during the Bagong Pilipinas Serbisyo Fair (BPSF) rollout in March, where over 1,400 SHS and Alternative Learning System graduates were hired on the spot. Approximately 40 schools nationwide were transformed into one-stop hubs, offering jobs and support for graduates.
Removing Barriers
Over 5,900 graduates received free pre-employment documents, such as birth certificates and National Bureau of Investigation and police clearances, effectively removing the high costs that often prevent those in financial distress from applying for work. "Through the green lane and removal of fees for documents, we ease the burden of the parents, and provide graduates the opportunity to immediately contribute in their respective homes," Angara added.
Legal Foundation
The initiative builds upon the First Time Jobseekers Assistance Act (Republic Act No. 11261), with Angara as the principal author during his tenure in the Senate. The law institutionalizes government support for youth seeking to break the cycle of poverty.
