Iloilo city: Iloilo City's 89th Charter Day celebration generated more than 15,000 job opportunities and honored individuals and government workers for their contributions to the city.
According to Philippines News Agency, Public Employment Service Office (PESO) Manager Gab Umadhay reported that the job fair, held as part of the monthlong celebration, resulted in a 10.87 percent placement rate, with about 222 applicants hired on the spot. "Our job fair catered to over 15,000 jobs, both local and overseas. We are thankful that we met the target for a placement rate of 10.87 percent. This translates to around 222 hired-on-the-spot among our job applicants," Umadhay stated in an interview.
Another 2,135 applicants were referred for further interviews, indicating a high chance of employment pending final interviews and company screening. Umadhay noted that about 60 percent of the applicants came from outside the city, emphasizing that opportunities are drawing people to Iloilo.
To sustain this momentum, the city will continue holding job recruitment activities throughout the year, including special recruitment sessions at the PESO office on the second floor of City Hall and at SM City Iloilo.
In addition to job creation, the celebration also focused on recognizing outstanding contributions. Mayor Raisa Tre±as led the recognition of 21 Mayor's Choice Awardees, five Mayor's Citation Awardees, and 10 Outstanding Ilonggos during the Mayor's Dinner, which marked the culmination of the monthlong Charter Day celebration.
The Mayor's Citation Awardees included notable figures such as Dr. Cynthia Palmes-Saloma, Dr. Resurreccion Sadaba, Febie Ibojos, Lt. Gen. Antonio Nafarrete, and Dr. Kristine Tre±as. The 10 Outstanding Ilonggos were Dr. Gracia Malazarte, Cynthia Concepcion-Baga, Dr. Ramon Zarceno, Rhea Pe±aflor, Lucyl Libutaque-Gulmatico, Gretchen Demisana, Ronald Latap, Jefferson Buenaventura, Alfonso Miguel Lenard Tan, and Crisanto A±as. The Mayor's Choice Awardees were city government departments recognized for their performance.
On Monday, the city government also honored 42 employees and nine departments for their excellence and dedication in public service. Mayor Tre±as expressed that the awards symbolize not only achievements but also the stories, sacrifices, and years of service behind them. "We may not always make noise about what we do, but when there is work to be done, we show up and deliver what we promised. As mayor, I have learned that the heart of Iloilo is really its people," she said.
Tre±as emphasized the importance of community involvement in building a better Iloilo, stating, "We need people who care. People who are willing to step up, share their time and talents and be part of something bigger than themselves."
Meanwhile, the ongoing medical and dental mission, which has already served nearly 600 residents, will continue through Friday. The City Health Office is conducting the mission in villages and districts to make government health services more accessible to residents.
