Kalayaan Job Fair: 135 jobseekers hired on the spot in Cebu - DOLE 7

CEBU, Philippines — The Department of Labor and Employment in Central Visayas (DOLE 7) noted a slight uptick in employment during the Kalayaan Job Fair held on June 12, 2024 at SM Seaside City Cebu, with 33% of jobseekers hired on the spot in Cebu City.

The job fair, which was one of the highlights of the 126th Independence Day celebration, had 409 registered applicants, of which 135 or 33% were hired on the spot. This reflected a modest growth of 2% from the 31% posted during the Labor Day Job Fair held on May 1, 2024. Out of 545 registered applicants, 169 were hired on the spot on Labor Day.

DOLE 7 regional director Lilia Estillore also noted a moderate growth in employment in Central Visayas after the Labor Day job fair in May compared to the preceding month.

The recently concluded Kalayaan Job Fair offered a diverse range of job positions that were in high demand. Customer Service Representatives, Call Center Representatives, and Service Crew roles emerged as the top choices for jobseekers.

With 3,402 job vacancies and 36 participating employers, the Job Fair was a collaborative initiative between the Cebu City Government and the Department of Manpower Development and Placement (DMDP) to provide job opportunities and support the local workforce.

DMDP department head Engr. Maria Suzanne Ardosa held an optimistic outlook emphasizing that the organization of regional job fairs played a vital role in addressing the unemployment challenges faced by the 2.04 million jobless Filipinos nationwide, as reported by the Labor Force Survey conducted by the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA).

PHL UNEMPLOYMENT

PSA’s Labor Force Survey showed that the country’s unemployment rate in April 2024 slowed down to 4.0% from 4.5% recorded in the same month last year. Meanwhile, underemployment rate posted an increase from 12.9% in April last year to 14.6% in the same month this year.

To address the unemployment woes of the country, DOLE and the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) actively promoted vocational training in high-demand sectors like hospitality and service industries. The focus was on enhancing job readiness and improving employability, particularly in specialized fields such as culinary arts and housekeeping.

Ardosa emphasized the importance of vocational and technical skills training to enhance employability opportunities for individuals seeking to enroll in these programs.

“With DMDP and TESDA, we are also providing vocational and technical skills training for those who wish to avail. They are welcome to enroll because the skills they acquire will enhance their employability and supplement their skills,” Ardosa said.

Moreover, Ardosa attributed the increase in the unemployment rate to the seasonal demand for labor, particularly during the graduation season, with a notable presence of fresh graduates seeking employment opportunities.  — Renee Ross Villariasa