ILOILO City – To address unemployment and job mismatch in Western Visayas, the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) will host a job fair on May 1, Labor Day, at Robinsons Place Iloilo here.
With over 10,000 vacancies up for grabs, this year’s job fair aims to foster stronger connections between job seekers and top employers while contributing to the region’s economic recovery.
Themed “Manggagawang Pilipino, Kaagapay sa Pag-unlad; Sandigan ng Mas Matatag na Bagong Pilipinas”, the event promises to bridge the gap between the rising number of jobseekers and the employment opportunities in various sectors.
As of April 24, DOLE Region 6 has secured the participation of 99 local employers offering 8,033 vacancies, alongside five overseas employers with 916 positions available.
DOLE-6 expects additional employers to confirm their participation in the coming days.
Regional Director Sixto Rodriguez Jr. said the job fair will feature a wide array of job categories, ranging from cashiers, accounting staff, and marketing managers to drivers, welders, and mechanics. Additionally, opportunities will be available in various sectors such as administrative services, wholesale and retail, construction, transport, and manufacturing.
Special focus will be placed on providing job opportunities for fresh graduates, high school graduates, and technical-vocational course completers, including the chance to participate in the Government Internship Program (GIP).
“Job seekers, including fresh graduates, are encouraged to attend and explore the various career opportunities available. We are committed to helping them find stable, long-term employment,” said Rodriguez. “We invite all employers to join us in this effort to support the workforce and to help reduce poverty through employment.”
The job fair will also feature Kadiwa ng Pangulo, a marketplace where 40 vendors from 32 enterprises will offer fresh, nutritious, and affordable products. This initiative, supporting local farmers and producers, aims to further contribute to community empowerment and economic growth.
Additionally, the Western Visayas Transport Cooperative (WVTC) will provide free rides to job seekers within Iloilo City, facilitating their access to the fair.
To streamline the application process, DOLE encourages job seekers to pre-register online through their website.
As of the latest update, more than 1,500 applicants have already registered.
Alongside job opportunities, various government agencies will be on hand to assist with services related to employment, health, social security, and migrant welfare (Technical Education and Skills Development Authority; Department of Health; Philippine National Police; Overseas Workers Welfare Administration; Employees’ Compensation Commission; Department of Migrant Workers; Social Security System; Philippine Health Insurance Corp.; Home Development Mutual Fund; Philippine Statistics Authority; National Bureau of Investigation).
In line with the region’s commitment to job creation, provinces throughout Western Visayas will simultaneously host similar Labor Day job fairs, with support initiatives like the Tulong Panghanapbuhay sa Ating Disadvantaged/Displaced (TUPAD) program also being rolled out from April 14 to May 1, 2025./PN
