A TOTAL of 42 applicants were qualified for various positions during the first-ever Job Fair for Persons with Disabilities (PWDs) held in Zamboanga City.

The job fair was held Thursday, July 21, at a local shopping mall in celebration of the 44th National Disability Rehabilitation and Prevention (NRDP) Week.

Socorro Rojas, City Social Welfare and Development Office (CSWDO) chief, said one was hired on the spot while six others will be hired as soon as they complete the requirements.

The job fair, which was organized by the Public Employment Service Office (Peso) under the CSWDO together with the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE)-Zamboanga Peninsula, was participated by eight private companies that made available 231 vacant positions for PWDs.

The 42 qualified applicants were part of the 81 individuals interviewed, according to Rojas.

A highlight during the day-long job fair was the Skills Demo in Arts and Crafts (Kabuhayan para sa Bayan) specifically on how to make perfume and dishwashing liquid organized by the Technical Education and Skills Development (Tesda)-Zamboanga Peninsula.

The Peso facilitated the recruitment activity in line with its thrust to empower PWDs through responsive policies, programs and services.

The NRDP Week celebration, July 17 to 23, 2022, is anchored on the theme “Working with Government in Achieving Equal Access to Education, Employment and Livelihood towards Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities.’ (SunStar Zamboanga)