Independence Day will no longer be traditional socio-civic parade but a three-day celebration of our independence when government services come closer ever to the people. Starting June 10, 2008 up to Independence Day on June 12, 2008, Luneta grounds will become a virtual center of frontline services of government.

For the start, the Department of Labor and Employment will open a job fair of more than 15,000 local and overseas jobs to be participated by 100 companies. Other services available are: Online Employment Facilitation where several Philjobnet work station and Greater Modular Access (GMA) Job Kiosks will be installed for the jobseekers to also apply online; Pre-Employment Services that will cater to those who want to secure NBI clearance, SSS number, birth certificate, TIN, and advisory services on passporting; DOLE Assistance Clinic where a special desk will be set up at the venue to provide legal and information assistance to workers and other interested clients; and Skills Demonstration, Competency Assessment and Youth Profiling where TESDA provide skills demonstration on Hair Cutting and Reflexology, competency assessment on PC Operations as well as Youth Profiling for interested clients.

The Department of Trade and Industry will showcase its One Town One Product (OTOP) project, where the items from all the regions, the best products of our countryside entrepreneurs, will be offered at discounted prices. While the Department of Health will feature alternative health care, herbal medicine, first aid and CPR with a booth Botika sa Barangay.

Not to be outdone is the Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises or MSME sector. Under the oversight of Inter-agency Coordination Committee, and with private partners, the Philippine Center for Entrepreneurship, services for starting a business, funding it and making it grow will be provided to those who want to enter into the business bandwagon.

Also, the Department of Science and Technology will present their commercially viable products, point aspiring entrepreneur in the right direction and assist micro, small and medium scale enterprises where to get loans and other financial assistance.

For financial needs, People’s Credit and Finance Corporation, the wholesaler at the microfinance level, will accept and process loan from entrepreneurs who will apply for a loan. While the small and medium enterprises can be accommodated by Small Business Corp., Land Bank of the Philippines and Development Bank of the Philippines.

Tags: Independence Day, livelihood fair, mega jobs, overseas jobs, small and medium enterprises