ZAMBOANGA CITY — It was an early pre-valentines date for eager job seekers and employers alike at the Dia de Amor Trabaho, Negosyo at Kasanayan Job Fair on February 13, 2021 at the Zamboanga ECOZONE, Talisayan, this City.The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) 9 initiated its first face to face job fair to help job seekers find their match among the 15 local employers offering 3,125 jobs. 

Regional Director Atty. Roy L. Buenafe reported to Labor Secretary Silvestre H. Bello III that a total of 1,141 applicants were physically present, of which 314 were qualified. Out of this number, 149 applicants were hired-on-the-spot (HOTS) by various employers.  Meanwhile, 261 were recorded as near-hires who only need to submit additional requirements to employers.

“The conduct of this activity is actually the result of our intensive dialogue with the Fishing and Canning industry as they are having difficulty securing manpower for their companies.

Majority of the HOTS were hired as production workers for fishing and canning companies so in a way we are able to help them,” said Director Buenafe. 

Director Buenafe thanked DOLE’s partners who fully supported the endeavor – Zamboanga City Mayor Isabelle Climaco-Salazar represented by Councilor Josephine “Pinpin” Pareja, Congressman Ceasar “Jawo” L. Jimenez of District 1, Zamboanga ECOZONE Chairperson and Administrator Raul M. Regondola represented by Deputy Administrator for Planning and Operation Reynold B. Pareja and NWPC Commissioner and Project HOPE Agricultural Cooperative Chairperson Jose S. Suan. 

The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) facilitated entrepreneurship development  seminars to interested job seekers while the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) provided assistance on how to avail tech voc scholarship programs. 

LGU Zamboanga City, D’ Biel Transportation Company, Western Mindanao State University, Western Mindanao Command, Zamboanga City State Polytechnic College and Association of Barangay Captains sponsored “libreng sakay” or  free bus rides for job seekers. 

Health protocols were in place and properly observed from the “Libreng Sakay” assembly area to the venue entrance. The “No Face Mask/Face Shield, No Entry” policy was strictly enforced with marshals roving around the area to remind job seekers to observe safety protocols. 

Director Buenafe announced that another job fair will be conducted in May 2021 to commemorate Labor Day. END/KCGrafia