ILOILO – To curb unemployment and job mismatch in the province, the Iloilo Provincial Government’s recent Mega Job Fair 2025 offered nearly 12,000 job vacancies and resulted in 36 jobseekers being hired on the spot.
Held on July 18 at Robinsons Place Jaro, the event drew 1,722 applicants and opened 11,979 job opportunities — 3,577 for local employment and 8,402 for overseas placements — according to the Provincial Public Employment Service Office (PESO).
“This is our biggest annual event, especially timed for fresh graduates. We hope to help many of them secure jobs, including those seeking opportunities abroad,” said PESO provincial head Dr. Cynthia Dario.
Sixty local companies, eight business process outsourcing (BPO) firms, 16 overseas employers, and the Philippine Army participated in the job fair, which was open to fresh graduates, returning workers, and overseas jobseekers.
Of those hired on the spot (HOTS), 35 landed local jobs and one secured an overseas placement. Meanwhile, 3,788 applicants underwent interviews and assessments — 2,990 for local posts and 798 for overseas.
A total of 1,182 applicants were deemed “qualified” by employers, including 989 for local and 193 for overseas positions.
Another 1,993 were categorized as “near-hired,” meaning they had strong potential and may be contacted for follow-up interviews or offers.
Dario credited the success of the event to collaborative support from various stakeholders and government leaders.
“My PESO team were thankful with the success of our Provincial Mega Job Fair which brought together top employers and passionate jobseekers,” Dario said, citing the backing of Gov. Arthur Defensor Jr., Vice Gov. Lee Ann Debuque, the Sangguniang Panlalawigan’s Committee on Labor and Employment, Provincial Administrator Raul Banias, Department of Labor and Employment – Region 6, and Robinsons Iloilo management.
Sixteen government agencies were also present to provide services, including DOLE, Department of Migrant Workers, Overseas Workers Welfare Administration, Social Security System, Home Development Mutual Fund, Philippine Health Insurance Corporation, Technical Education and Skills Development Authority, Philippine Statistics Authority, Professional Regulation Commission, Bureau of Internal Revenue, Department of Social Welfare and Development, National Bureau of Investigation, Philippine National Police, Department of Foreign Affairs, and Bureau of Fire Protection./PN
