Friday, March 30, 2007 DOT jobs fair draws jobseekers
DESPITE criticisms that it is a futile activity, Tourism Secretary Joseph “Ace” Durano said they decided to hold again the tourism jobs fair this year due to the success stories of jobseekers.
The response of the private sector also encouraged the organizers to push through with the 2nd Tourism Jobs Fair to provide employment to the region’s potential workforce.
Some 132 exhibitors joined this year’s fair. Last year, there were only 102, Durano said.
A total of 10,749 jobseek-ers registered online and onsite at the Cebu International Convention Center as of 6 a.m. yesterday. Tourism Undersecretary Phineas Alburo said they expect the figures to grow today, the last day of the fair.
Hired
Durano presented to reporters yesterday six of those who were hired during the first tourism jobs fair.
“They inspired us to continue. All the cost (for the fair) is really worth it,” he said.
Mart Andrew Maravillas, 20, represented his father, Nelson, 42, who is now working as a trailer truck driver in Qatar.
Mart said his father got hired through a placement agency during the fair after being jobless for about 10 months.
Jobseekers
Aside from Nelson, Frances Ann Ligan, Brilla Jalali, Jolly Gonzales, Jenell Abella and Edgar Esparaguerra are among those who got jobs during the first fair.
They are now working in hotels and a manufacturing firm.
As of Wednesday, three others were also hired on the spot by Waterfront Cebu City Hotel and Casino.
Exhibitors
Aside from hotels and resorts, the list of exhibitors include airline, shipping and cruise companies, restaurants, travel agencies, tour operators, spas, suppliers, school and banks, among others.
Alburo said they ensure the establishments pay their employees the minimum wage. However, there are also firms that pay above the minimum and there are supervisory level positions included in the jobs fair.
Livelihood
Department of Labor and Employment (Dole) 7 Director Elias Cayanong said they are glad that there is a specialized job fair for the tourism industry, which is one of the region’s economic drivers and an employment generator.
He revealed that aside from providing office jobs, the industry is now giving livelihood to the grassroots, who make novelty and souvenir items for tourists.
The Dole 7, through its Program for Rural Entrepreneurship, has provided last year a start-up capital worth P1.4 million to eight project proponents, who are now operating businesses like a floating restaurant and a novelty items factory. (CYR)
