CITY OF SAN FERNANDO -- Some 392 jobseekers were hired on the spot (HOTS) in the Independence Day Job and Livelihood Fairs in Central Luzon, the Department of Labor and Employment (Dole) said Friday.
The HOTS were part of the 1,571 jobseekers that flocked the job and livelihood fairs held at the Malolos Sports and Convention Center in Malolos City, Bulacan and Magic Mall in Sta Cruz, Zambales.
Dole-Regional Director Ana Dione reported to Labor Secretary Rosalinda Baldoz that preliminary reports from the Dole Field Offices show that the HOTS comprise 273 hires from Bulacan and 119 from Zambales.
The HOTS, according to Dione, represented a placement rate of 31.84 percent of 1,231 qualified applicants or 11.84 percentage points above the department's targeted 20 percent.
Technical Support and Service Division for Employment and Welfare head Alejandro Inza Cruz said that the HOTS are expected to add-up in days to come.
"With our usual month-long monitoring and validation of those applicants subjected for further interview based from reports submitted by different participating employers, we're hopeful that they too will be hired," Inza Cruz said.
At least 11,065 job vacancies--6,277 for local and 4,788 overseas—were offered by 88 participating employers--57 local and 26 overseas—in both job fairs.
Dione, who graced the job and livelihood fair in the Bulacan, lauded the Dole's program partners for their continued support in this year's Independence Day Job and Livelihood Fairs.
"To heads of local government units, PESOs, and participating employers, we are truly thankful for being partners in providing employment opportunities for our aspiring jobseekers here in Central Luzon, conveniently and inexpensively, through our job fairs," Dione said.
"Rest assured that we will continue to work hand in hand in providing, not only gainful employment opportunities for our jobseekers, but also livelihood opportunities for our marginalized workers," she added.
Aside from the job fairs, livelihood fairs in both provinces were facilitated by the Dole's accredited co-partners and beneficiaries by showcasing their livelihood products and services.
Another Independence Day job and livelihood fair will be held on June 18 at the Rizal Triangle Multipurpose Court in Olongapo City.
The job and livelihood fairs highlight this year’s 117th Philippine Independence Day celebration in the region with its theme “Tagumpay sa Pagbabagong Nasimulan, Abot-Kamay na ng Bayan.” (Jerry Borja/DOLE-LCO)