CITY OF SAN FERNANDO, Pampanga — The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) regional office for Central Luzon on Friday cited the collective efforts of their partners and concerned government agencies that made the recent job fair a success.
DOLE Regional Director Zenaida Campita-Angara on Friday said a total of 490 job seekers were hired on the spot in the 117th Labor Day job and business fairs held Wednesday at the Kingsborough International Convention Center here.
According to her, those hired on the spot were among the 7,825 qualified applicants that trooped to the annual labor activity.
Angara said a total of 141 local companies and 24 recruitment agencies accredited by the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA) participated in the event.
“The job fair with over 30,000 job vacancies posted was indeed a feast of opportunities to our growing labor force in the region, the DOLE, as we continually adhere in promoting gainful employment opportunities through the collaborative efforts of our partners and attached agencies, hopes that we were able to provide ample assistance to the vigorous workers and jobseekers in the region,” she said in a media interview.
She cited the support extended to DOLE by the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA), Pampanga provincial government, city government of San Fernando, and the Public Employment Service Offices (PESOs), that contributed to the successful holding of the job fair.
The “Build, Build, Build” (BBB) Inter-agency Committee also gave support in the overall conduct of the event.
Angara added various agencies and private partners facilitated six batches of learning sessions on diverse topics for some 1,050 participants.
Among the topics discussed were how to start a small business; Pag-IBIG fund updates on membership savings and modified PAG-IBIG II (MP2) program; OWWA programs and services for OFWs and dependents, and pre-employment orientation.
Various micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) and selected beneficiaries of DOLE Integrated Livelihood Program (DILP) also showcased their products for sale.
In coordination with the provincial government, some PHP3.4 million worth of Special Program for the Employment of Students (SPES) were also turned over to 957 student beneficiaries.
The event was also highlighted by the ceremonial signing of the Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR) of Republic Act No. 11210 otherwise known as the 105-Day Expanded Maternity Leave Law; the memorandum of agreement (MOA) on skills training, technical education, assessment and certification for returning OFWs; and the joint guidelines on the issuance of work and employment permits to foreign nationals. (PNA)
