Over 10,000 Jobs Offered at Kalayaan Fair in Bacolod

By Glazyl M. Jopson

BACOLOD CITY – The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) Region 6 is urging employers and agencies to hire more workers during the Kalayaan Job Fair on June 12 in Bacolod City.

DOLE-6 Regional Director Sixto Rodriguez Jr. said during a press briefing Wednesday that the job fair is intended to help fresh graduates and other job seekers find employment opportunities.

“Our task is to promote employment and ensure that everyone has access to decent and productive work in the region,” he said.

Rodriguez added that applicants who do not get hired will be referred to other agencies or offered opportunities through government internship programs.

He noted that not all applicants are fresh graduates, as some companies also accept undergraduates depending on job requirements.

DOLE-6 is offering 10,386 job vacancies from various sectors in Negros Occidental as part of the 127th Philippine Independence Day celebration themed “Kalayaan, Kinabukasan, Kasaysayan.”

Rodriguez said that 57 local employers are offering 8,852 job vacancies, while four licensed agencies are offering 1,534 overseas positions at the fair held at the Main Atrium of SM City Bacolod on Thursday.

Local job openings are available in manpower services, business process outsourcing (BPO), retail, restaurants, manufacturing, lending, transportation, insurance, and construction.

He stressed that the overseas recruitment agencies are accredited and authorized to prevent illegal hiring.

Overseas jobs are available in Canada, Saudi Arabia, Japan, Malaysia, and China.

Rodriguez clarified that job opportunities are open to all qualified applicants, not just residents of Bacolod or Negros Occidental.

DOLE-Negros Occidental Provincial Head Carmela Abellar said that as of press time, 1,186 individuals have registered online to participate in the job fair.

“We expect more walk-in applicants and welcome everyone interested in finding work,” she said.

Abellar added that DOLE has invited various government agencies to assist applicants in processing employment requirements, creating a one-stop-shop setup.

She said the event aims to support both formal and informal workers by providing access to livelihood opportunities.

A service caravan will also be held to offer public access to government programs and services.

DOLE will distribute checks under the DOLE Integrated Livelihood Program (DILP) at SM City Bacolod to 29 beneficiaries.

One of the groups, Guin-olayan Agrarian Reform Cooperative (GARC), will receive PHP1.5 million for its group agri-enterprise retailing project in Barangay Tortosa, Manapla, Negros Occidental.

In addition, 3,062 beneficiaries from 21 barangays will receive TUPAD checks totaling PHP15,708,060 in a ceremony at the DOLE SWDC Building on Cottage Road.

TUPAD is a community-based employment program that provides short-term emergency work for disadvantaged individuals.

DOLE will also observe the World Day Against Child Labor with the theme “Sa Bagong Pilipinas: Mag-aaral ang Bata, Hindi Manggagawa!” at 888 GT Mall in Bacolod.

Activities include a memorandum of agreement signing with NGOs and partners such as Ilog Kinderhome Foundation, Christian Advocates for Justice-Negros, and Sugar Industry Foundation Inc.

Fifteen KADIWA vendors will also showcase and sell organic products at discounted prices during the Fiesta Market at Ayala Malls Capitol Central from June 12 to 13.