THE Department of Education has launched a service fair in three public schools in the cities of Caloocan, Makati, and Mandaluyong to help graduating Senior High School (SHS) students face steep financial and bureaucratic barriers. The “Bagong Pilipinas Serbisyo Fair” is a one stop-shop for SHS Technical-Vocational-Livelihood (TVL) graduates and Alternative Learning System (ALS) learners who often miss job opportunities due to the high cost and complexity of securing pre-employment documents. The fair was organized by the House of Representatives under former speaker Martin Romualdez. The fair served around 488 beneficiaries in Tala National High School in Caloocan City; 290 in Makati High School in Barangay Poblacion; and 397 in Mataas na Paaralang Neptali A. Gonzales in Mandaluyong City. Education Secretary Sonny Angara said the department is bringing the government closer to learners to ensure that their transition from the classroom to the workplace is seamless and cost-free. “Through these reforms and partnerships, we are transforming our graduates into highly employable assets who are ready to contribute to our nation’s growth,” Angara said. The initiative, conducted together with the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) and other government agencies, provides a critical solution for families confronted by spiraling fuel prices due to the Middle East conflict, by saving each student upwards of P1,000 in clearance fees and transportation costs. By offering essential clearances and certificates for free as mandated under the First Time Jobseekers Assistance Act, the program also removes the added burden of multiple trips and significant transportation expenses. The program also includes industry-aligned job matching and career guidance to bridge the gap between education and real-world employment, as well as employers offering vacancies. DepEd said around 550,000 SHS and TVL students are graduating this year.