Over 28,600 jobseekers took advantage of the 151,000 local and overseas employment opportunities during the nationwide Trabaho Negosyo Kabuhayan Job and Business Fair in observance of Araw ng Kalayaan on Sunday, June 12.

Of this number, 2,405 applicants were assured of immediate employment, while close to 9,537 others were considered as near-hires, Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello III said, citing a report from the Bureau of Local Employment.

The labor chief underscored the government’s efforts toward employment recovery with the participation of 1,163 employers which brought with them 151,325 local and overseas jobs.

One of those who instantly found employment is 19-year-old Nina Mae Morales, who was hired as Marketing Staff by the IndoPhil Group during the main job fair event at the Bulacan Capitol Gymnasium in Malolos City.

Morales, who is a senior high school graduate, admitted that she was eager to work immediately so she visited the said job fair site. “Nalaman ko ang tungkol sa job fair sa barangay namin. Gusto ko na talagang magtrabaho kaya ako nag-apply. Mabilis lang ang proseso ng pag-aapply ko at ako nga ang kauna-unahang hired-on-the-spot dito,” said Morales.

Meanwhile, 315 applicants were referred to the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority for skills training, 190 were referred to the Bureau of Workers with Special Concerns for livelihood training/assistance, and 267 were referred to the Department of Trade and Industry for business inquiries and concerns.

Aside from facilitating employment for those in the formal sector, the Department also awarded emergency employment and livelihood assistance to vulnerable and marginalized workers.

Bello led the distribution of salaries for 1,286 Tulong Panghanapbuhay sa Ating Disadvantaged/Displaced Workers (TUPAD) Program beneficiaries in Bulacan. Each worker received P4,200 for their 10-day TUPAD engagement.

Through the DOLE Integrated Livelihood Program, the labor chief also awarded bicycle units to 500 Freebis (Free Bisikleta) beneficiaries and Nego-Karts (Negosyo sa Kariton) to 563 informal sector workers.

END/aldm