At least 35 jobseekers are now part of the labor force after they were hired on the spot in the job fair held at the SM City Pampanga on Monday.
In line with the celebration of the 121st Labor Day, five job fairs were conducted simultaneously in different areas in Central Luzon.
Public Employment Service Office (PESO)-Pampanga manager Luningning Vergara said there was a heavy turnout of job applicants who lined up for more than 8,000 vacancies from 48 participating employers in the event held at the Event Center of SM City Pampanga.
“As early as 7 a.m., there are lots of applicants who queued for different job openings and as of 12 noon, there are 35 jobseekers that were hired on the spot here,’ Vergara said in the live-streamed event.
She urged applicants who would not be hired to not give up as they are many employment opportunities that would still be available to them.
‘Sa ating mga workers, kayo po ang star ng araw na ito, para sa inyo po ang Labor Day job fair. I do believe na marami kayong dalang resume ngayon. Huwag po kayong magsawang magpa-interview at sana ay mas marami kayong makausap para mas marami yung opportunity ninyo (To our workers, you are the star today, This Labor Day job fair is for you. I do believe that you brought a lot of resumes today. Do not get tired of getting interviewed and I hope that you could talk with more employers for more opportunities),’ Vergara said.
Janet San Jose, a fresh graduate with a degree in business management from one of the universities in this province, admitted feeling the pressure of finding employment opportunities.
“I am excited to apply for a job for the first time. The feeling of anxiety is, of course there, being a new graduate. But I am determined to get there. I think this job fair is a perfect opportunity for me to land a job,” she said.
Electrician Robert Buenaventura is also trying his luck in finding a job.
‘Nalaman ko na may mga trabaho para sa mga tulad ko, kaya nagpunta ako dito (I’ve found out that there are jobs for workers like me. That is why I came here),’ Buenaventura said.
Aside from the job fair, the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) awarded PHP1 million each to the local government units of Magalang and Sto. Tomas for the Negosyo sa Kariton (Nego-Kart project) and dressmaking and casket-making kits, respectively.
The DOLE likewise awarded some PHP10 million to the provincial government of Pampanga for the 164 intern-beneficiaries who will be assigned to support the provincial government’s projects, namely Alagang Nanay for the Guro sa Nayon and for the preventive health care system of the LGUs
Source: Philippines News Agency