DOLE OIC-Assistant Secretary Patrick P. Patriwirawan, Jr., CESO III (5th from the left), poses with 

JobStart trainees from Astoria, delegates from the Asian Development Bank, and the World Bank

Taguig City, 22 August 2025 — The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) led the program briefing at the Astoria Plaza, presenting the achievements of JobStart Philippines and its trainees to delegates from the Asian Development Bank (ADB), led by Mr. Bilal Muhammad Khan, and the World Bank. Representatives from PESO Mandaluyong and Astoria Hotels and Resorts also joined the event.

The event was spearheaded by OIC-Assistant Secretary Patrick P. Patriwirawan, Jr., CESO III, together with the Bureau of Local Employment – Youth Employability Program Unit. In his opening remarks, Asec. Patriwirawan shared the policy framework that underpins JobStart and highlighted other DOLE initiatives that strengthen youth employment. He proudly noted that the program has successfully provided employment facilitation services to more than 29 thousand Filipino youth, with a 59% female participation rate.

Ms. Sheila Merl Lantaca, Acting Supervising Labor and Employment Officer, provided an overview of the program design, outlined its objectives, and explained the implementation mechanism.

Astoria Hotels and Resorts, a long-time partner of the program, reaffirmed its support through Mr. Ronnie Alarcio, Corporate Director for Human Resources, who praised JobStart as a life-changing initiative. He stressed that Astoria’s branches in Pasig, Palawan, and Iloilo are structured to provide continuous skills development for trainees and employees.

The highlight of the event came from four former JobStart trainees, once classified as NEET (Not in Education, Employment, or Training), who expressed gratitude to DOLE and Astoria for enabling them to build meaningful careers through the program.

The briefing concluded with an open forum, where officials and delegates from ADB, World Bank, Astoria, and DOLE exchanged insights and shared perspectives on advancing youth employability. In closing, Mr. Bilal Muhammad Khan offered words of encouragement to the JobStart beneficiaries, urging them to remain steadfast in pursuing their aspirations.

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