The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) has reported significant success in its employment facilitation efforts for 2025, with tens of thousands of Filipinos securing jobs through organized fairs across the nation.
Nationwide Employment Gains from Job Fairs
According to official data from DOLE, a total of 74,564 applicants were hired on the spot throughout the year. This impressive figure resulted from the department's commitment to holding regular job fairs, with 2,176 events conducted nationwide as of November 2025. These fairs attracted a massive turnout, with 529,158 jobseekers participating in the hope of finding new opportunities.
Davao Region's Contribution to HOTS
On a regional level, the Department of Labor and Employment in Davao (Dole-Davao) marked its anniversary with a job fair on December 8, 2025. The event proved fruitful, with 17 job seekers hired on the spot (HOTS). This local initiative is part of the broader national strategy to connect employers directly with potential employees, streamlining the hiring process.
Labor Market Challenges Amid Success
Despite the positive outcomes from the job fairs, recent labor statistics indicate ongoing challenges in the Philippine job market. The October 2025 Labor Force Survey placed the country's unemployment rate at 5.0 percent. This represents an increase from the 3.9 percent rate recorded in October 2024.
In absolute numbers, this shift translates to an estimated 2.54 million unemployed individuals in October 2025, a notable rise from the 1.97 million counted during the same period the previous year. The data highlights the continuing need for robust employment facilitation programs like the monthly job fairs DOLE has pledged to maintain.
The contrast between the successful job fair placements and the rising unemployment rate underscores the complex dynamics of the Philippine labor market, where sustained efforts are required to match a large and growing workforce with available positions.
