Labor Day Job Fair yields results

The 120^th Labor Day Celebration Job and Business Fairs has provided job opportunities as well as livelihood and entrepreneurial options to 874 jobseekers who crowded the SM City Cyberzone and tried their luck in more than 10, 000 jobs offered by 28 participating companies.

“The Job Fair was an opportunity to start my career,” said Angel Lee Belarmino who will be working as an intern in the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE)-Government Internship Program (GIP).

A fisherman’s daughter, Ms. Belarmino chose DOLE among other employers who offered her a job.  She believes that DOLE-GIP training is suited for her plan to someday enter public service.

Angel Lee is now preparing for her job along with 13 other applicants who were HOTS (hired on the spot).

Regional Director Atty. Sixto T. Rodriguez, Jr. is pleased with the hiring and is positive that more jobseekers will find a job soon. He closely monitors the 75 near hired applicants, 64 for local jobs and 14 for abroad. They only need to complete some requirements or to undergo further interviews for the job.

Aside from the job fair, the Regional Office embarked on region-wide activities in relation to Sec. Silvestre H. Bello III’s Labor Day message assuring workers of DOLE’s untiring commitment of upholding worker’s rights and welfare.

Rodriguez organized the DOLE Clinic and Help Desk to assist workers concerning their labor related concerns. It is composed of representatives from the NLRC, RTWPB, OWWA, OSHC, ECC, POEA, NCMB, ECC, TESDA, DTI and PhilHeatlh,

The job and business fairs also offered an opportunity for aspiring applicants to become entrepreneurs.

Rodriguez underscored the needs of the workers who were affected by the impact of the pandemic, “Dahil marami ang nawalan ng trabaho, ang kailangan natin ngayon ay trabaho, negosyo at kabuhayan,” he said highlighting this year’s theme, Matatag na Manggagawa, Matatag na Bansa.

“Aside from more than 10, 000 offerings from different companies, we also encourage self- employment through DOLE’s Integrated Livelihood Program or DILP.  In partnership with the Department of Trade and Industry, we are providing the entrepreneurial mind setting and business idea seminar; and skills demonstration for those who are interested to learn new skills,” continued RD Rodriguez.

The activity challenged the participants that include DOLE personnel to test their skills in the application of theories they learned from the skills demo.

“What I learned from the seminar enhanced my skills and gave me an idea in case I choose to engage in business, “says Norman Lava, a GIP intern. He added that the activity introduces other options on how to become productive other than being employed.

To promote the concept of sustainable livelihood, the Regional Director led the release of a Php5,266,407 worth of assistance for agricultural and business projects of 432 beneficiaries from 2 multi-purpose cooperatives and 3 local government units. The DOLE-assisted agri-related projects are expected to generate countryside development and facilitate skills development among the marginalized sector.

While Rodriguez is supervising the Job Fair in Iloilo, Assistant Regional Director Atty. Dax B. Villaruel spearheaded the distribution of Php7.2 million emergency employment assistance though the TUPAD program in Bago City, Negros Occidental.

The assistance will cover the wages of informal workers in 7 barangays across Bacolod City and Negros Occidental is also in support of the government’s convergence program,  Integrated Sustainable Recovery and Advancement Program (ISARAP).

A Job Fair was also conducted in Roxas City through the collaboration of DOLE RO No. 6 through its Capiz Field Office, PESO and Capiz Provincial Government.

In the Province of Aklan, DOLE RO-6 through its Aklan Field Office participated in two major Labor Day activities. The Regional Office extended assistance to employees’ work-related inquiries in the Duterte Legacy Caravan Thru Convergence of All Government Agencies held in the Municipality of Kalibo and actively participated in the Boracay Beach clean-up and Scubasurero initiated by the Boracay Industry Tripartite Council (BITC).