Butuan city: The Bagong Pilipinas Serbisyo Fair organized by the Department of Labor and Employment-Caraga Region (DOLE-13) at Robinsons Mall opened at least 10,000 vacancies on Labor Day Friday. Similar job fairs were also held in other provinces and cities in the region.
According to Philippines News Agency, the DOLE-13 announced that 5,895 of the total vacancies are available in Butuan City, offered by 45 participating local employers. Additionally, three overseas employers have provided 714 job opportunities at the fair.
Benilda Camino, a 29-year-old resident of Pagatpatan, Butuan City, attended the fair after returning from Cebu City to take care of her parents. "I am seeking office work or any position in department stores," Camino said, sharing her hopes of securing a job through the fair, leveraging her over three years of mall work experience. She had prepared her documents in advance after learning about the fair the previous week.
Mon Salcedo, another job seeker and a resident of Buenavista, Agusan del Norte, arrived early at the fair. "I am a carpenter and a mason and have worked with big construction projects in the last three years," Salcedo stated. He appreciated the opportunity provided by the government through DOLE, having previously benefited from a similar job fair two years ago.
By 1 p.m. on Friday, DOLE-13 reported that 87 applicants were hired on the spot, including Maria Mae Garcia from Barangay Bonbon, who secured a position as a service crew member with Wizard Manpower and Allied Services. "Job fairs during Labor Day by the DOLE give great opportunities to job seekers," Garcia expressed.
In addition to the job fair, DOLE-13 facilitated the awarding of PHP4.3 million in livelihood support to 11 micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) from various provinces. Each enterprise received PHP400,000 for business enhancement and adaptation measures. Furthermore, PHP17.2 million was released under the DOLE Integrated Livelihood Program to benefit 624 individuals across the region.
Moreover, two accredited partners, Barangay Tolosa in Cabadbaran City and Barangay 9 in Buenavista, Agusan del Norte, received over PHP2 million for milkfish production and the High-Density Polyethylene cage project.
A Kadiwa ng Pangulo event highlighted the participation of five local enterprises composed of farmers' associations. Each enterprise featured three sellers who are beneficiaries of the TUPAD (Tulong Panghanapbuhay sa Ating Disadvantaged/Displaced Workers) program. As of 1 p.m., the Kadiwa ng Pangulo generated PHP33,942 in gross sales, showcasing the government's initiative to integrate emergency employment beneficiaries into sustainable livelihoods and enterprise development.
