ILOILO – Beyond providing employment, the Public Service Employment (PESO) Job and Migrants Fair 2025 at Casa Real de Iloilo on October 23 championed the cause of safe and ethical migration, drawing more than 300 eager jobseekers from across the province.
With over 3,300 vacancies offered by 17 local employers and 10 overseas recruitment agencies, the annual event served as both a job marketplace and a learning venue for responsible employment practices.
This fair is not only about finding jobs but also about ensuring that our workers — especially those aspiring to go abroad — are protected and well-informed, said the Office of the Provincial Public Employment Service Manager (OPPESM), which organized the event.
A total of 22 jobseekers were hired on the spot, while many others advanced to interviews, underscoring the fair’s success in linking Ilonggos to meaningful and sustainable employment.
To safeguard jobseekers from exploitation, organizers held an Anti-Illegal Recruitment (AIR) Orientation, which educated participants on identifying legitimate recruitment agencies and understanding the legal processes of working overseas.
Government agencies such as the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration, Department of Migrant Workers, Department of Labor and Employment, PhilHealth, and Department of Social Welfare and Development set up assistance desks to offer on-site guidance and support.
Complementing the fair was a Trade Fair and “Libreng Sakay” service provided by the municipalities of Badiangan and San Miguel to help participants reach the venue conveniently.
By integrating employment, education, and protection under one roof, the PESO Job and Migrants Fair 2025 reaffirmed Iloilo Province’s commitment to improving employability while promoting safe migration and workers’ welfare./PN
