ILOILO – More than 13,000 local and overseas job opportunities are available to Ilonggo jobseekers in today’s Provincial PESO Mega Job Fair, with the Iloilo provincial government mobilizing 95 employers, 17 government agencies, and financial assistance for qualified applicants in one of the biggest employment events in Western Visayas.
The one-day job fair runs from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Casa Real de Iloilo and the Iloilo Provincial Capitol lobby, offering 13,098 vacancies — 6,129 for local employment and 6,969 for overseas jobs — covering industries such as business process outsourcing (BPO), manufacturing, construction, hospitality, healthcare, finance, information technology, wholesale and retail trade, and social services.
The initiative, spearheaded by the Public Employment Service Office (PESO) headed by Dr. Cynthia Dario, aims to connect thousands of Ilonggos — particularly fresh graduates and first-time jobseekers — with immediate employment opportunities.
As of the latest count, 95 employers have confirmed their participation, including 69 local companies, 13 BPO firms, and 10 overseas recruitment agencies composed of eight land-based and two sea-based agencies.
Among the most sought-after local positions are customer service representatives, call center agents, service crew, warehouse clerks, accounting assistants, marketing assistants, cashiers, cooks, bakers, production helpers, delivery riders, room attendants, bellmen, cleaners, dishwashers, and sales clerks.
For overseas employment, vacancies are available for nurses, electricians, beauticians, welders, cleaners, hairdressers, manicurists, and nail technicians for deployment to the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Lithuania, Abu Dhabi, and the United States.
The job fair is also open to persons with disabilities (PWDs), returning overseas Filipino workers (OFWs), and senior citizens, while 20 local employers have committed to accepting applications from high school and senior high school graduates.
To help applicants complete pre-employment requirements, 17 government agencies will set up assistance desks, including PAG-IBIG Fund, PhilHealth, National Bureau of Investigation, Technical Education and Skills Development Authority, Department of Labor and Employment, Social Security System, Department of Foreign Affairs, Department of Migrant Workers, Philippine Statistics Authority, Department of Trade and Industry, Overseas Workers Welfare Administration, Bureau of Internal Revenue, Department of Social Welfare and Development, Professional Regulation Commission, Philippine National Police, Bureau of Fire Protection, and Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines.
The Social Welfare department will also conduct assessments for applicants hired on the spot for local employment through its Sustainable Livelihood Program (SLP). Those who qualify may receive an Employment Assistance Fund worth P7,000 to help cover pre-employment expenses.
To make the event more accessible, several local government units will provide free transportation (Libre Sakay) or transportation assistance for jobseekers traveling to the venue.
As of the latest update, 944 applicants had already pre-registered online. Dario encouraged interested jobseekers to register before the event or proceed directly to the venue with updated résumés, valid identification cards, and other application requirements./PN
