ILOILO City – More than 500 jobseekers secured employment on the spot during the Labor Day Job Fair organized by the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) Region 6, highlighting the region’s growing efficiency in connecting workers to immediate job opportunities.
Held at Robinsons Main in Iloilo City on May 1, the fair resulted in 527 applicants being hired on the spot (HOTS) out of 1,117 total participants — a 47.18% placement rate.
DOLE officials attributed the successful turnout to effective employer coordination and proactive job matching strategies.
The job fair featured 106 local employers offering 8,337 vacancies and five overseas recruiters with 966 openings.
In addition, DOLE accepted applicants for its Government Internship Program (GIP), which supports young graduates seeking public service careers.
Another 137 applicants were tagged as “near hires” pending further employer requirements.
“The job fair is a concrete action to promote employment and social justice,” said DOLE-6 director Atty. Sixto Rodriguez.
To further aid jobseekers, DOLE-6 installed a “one-stop shop” of booths providing services from government agencies such as the Social Security System, Philippine Health Insurance Corporation, Home Development Mutual Fund, Philippine Statistics Authority, Technical Education and Skills Development Authority, Professional Regulation Commission, Department of Migrant Workers, Overseas Workers Welfare Administration, and more.
Two mobile clinics also offered free medical check-ups, including X-rays, urinalysis, and HIV/STD screenings, in partnership with the Department of Health.
The event also promoted the national government’s Kadiwa ng Pangulo program, giving space for local agricultural and fisheries groups to sell affordable goods. An initial Kadiwa store was launched at Central Philippine University.
In support of livelihood development, DOLE-6 released over P36 million in financial assistance under the DOLE Integrated Livelihood Program (DILP), benefiting 1,442 individuals across Western Visayas.
Similar Labor Day job fairs were simultaneously conducted in Roxas City, Oton, Tubungan, Bacolod City, and Sipalay City through collaboration with local Public Employment Service Offices./PN
