ILOILO City — Hundreds more job seekers could soon join the ranks of newly employed workers in Western Visayas.
The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) reported that nearly 1,100 applicants emerged as qualified or near-hire candidates from its Independence Day job fair, signaling a strong demand for labor across the region.
While 160 applicants were hired on the spot during the Kalayaan “Trabaho Agad” Job Fair on June 12, preliminary data from DOLE Region 6 showed that 949 applicants qualified for available positions and another 145 were classified as near hires, placing them a step closer to securing employment.
The figures came from the 1,554 job seekers who registered and participated in the job fair, one of the largest employment-matching activities held in Western Visayas in celebration of Independence Day.
Atty. Jorge Ferraris II, officer-in-charge of the Technical Support and Services Division of DOLE Region 6, said many of those immediately hired were participants of the Government Internship Program, which helps recent graduates gain valuable work experience and improve their chances of long-term employment.
Others were hired for positions such as sales associates, cooks, loan officers, service crew members, and investment specialists.
The job fair offered more than 5,200 local and overseas vacancies, providing applicants with a wide range of employment opportunities.
DOLE-6 regional director Sixto Rodriguez Jr. said the event reflects the agency’s commitment to ensuring that Filipinos have access to decent and meaningful work.
“This event not only commemorates the freedom secured by our forefathers but also highlights an ongoing commitment we have towards ensuring that freedom translates into real opportunities. True freedom is only realized when every Filipino is able to earn a dignified wage and build a better future for themselves and their loved ones,” Rodriguez emphasized.
Rodriguez urged employers to maximize the hire-on-the-spot mechanism, noting that immediate placements benefit both job seekers and companies seeking to fill vacancies efficiently.
The job fair was also held alongside activities marking the World Day Against Child Labor.
Rodriguez reiterated the agency’s commitment to eliminating child labor and ensuring that children remain in school instead of being exposed to exploitative working conditions.
“The essence of our efforts is to remember that every child deserves the fundamental right to education, protection, and a childhood free from labor exploitation. Our commitment extends beyond this job fair; we envision a future where all children are safe from hazardous working conditions, involved in their schools and communities,” he stressed.
He called on government agencies, employers, and communities to work together in promoting decent work while protecting children’s rights.
Lisa Camacho, social welfare officer of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) in Western Visayas, emphasized that employment generation remains one of the most effective tools in addressing child labor.
“As we facilitate access to job opportunities for adults, we must also address one of the root causes of child labor — poverty and the lack of economic opportunities for families,” Camacho stated.
She said empowering parents and caregivers with stable income opportunities helps keep children in school and away from exploitative labor.
To further boost livelihood opportunities, DOLE-6 also released P7.9 million under its Integrated Livelihood Program to the local government unit of Maasin, Iloilo.
The funding will support livelihood projects of five local associations representing 396 members, including groups engaged in bamboo production, market vending, agriculture, overseas workers’ support, and watershed management.
“True freedom is realized when every Filipino is given the opportunity to live with dignity, a sustainable livelihood and a bright future for their families,” Atty. Rodriguez emphasized./PN
