Manila: Over 3,000 job seekers secured employment on the spot during the nationwide job fairs orchestrated by the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) on Thursday, celebrating the 127th Proclamation of Philippine Independence.
According to Philippines News Agency, a preliminary report from the Bureau of Local Employment revealed that 3,364 applicants were immediately hired for roles such as cashier, service crew, production operator, ESL teacher, bagger, sales associate, clerk, production crew, loan officer, and store clerk.
The report highlighted that 25,876 job seekers registered across 50 job fair sites nationwide, a collaborative effort between DOLE Regional Offices and Public Employment Service Offices. Additionally, 4,676 job seekers were classified as near-hires, pending final evaluations or document submissions, while 21,419 were deemed fully qualified for available positions.
Vulnerable groups also benefited significantly, with 274 senior high school graduates, one person with a disability, and 10 beneficiaries of the Tulong Panghanapbuhay sa Ating Disadvantaged Workers (TUPAD) Program hired on the spot. The DOLE also reported the hiring of 55 private company interns and 37 Government Internship Program (GIP) beneficiaries.
The job fairs saw participation from 1,573 employers, offering a total of 153,187 local and overseas job vacancies. The event also included a one-stop shop of government services to assist in issuing pre-employment documents. Additional Jobseeker Auxiliary Services were provided, encompassing career development support, labor consultation, and programs on livelihood, skills training, and entrepreneurship.
As a result, 1,150 job seekers received career development support to enhance job readiness and career prospects. Meanwhile, 940 individuals showed interest in skills enhancement training, 323 availed of livelihood assistance, 79 explored entrepreneurship opportunities, and 9,142 accessed government services from agencies such as Pag-IBIG, Social Security System, and PhilHealth.
DOLE anticipates an increase in these figures as it continues to monitor and verify job fair data from its regional offices. In line with these efforts, the department is organizing a related job fair on June 19 at Ayala Malls Circuit Makati. This initiative is a testament to President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr.’s commitment to improving the livelihoods of Filipinos by creating employment opportunities and enhancing accessibility through regular job fairs.