6,000 Pasay residents find jobs at Mall of Asia

The opening of SM’s Mall of Asia has provided jobs to at least 6,000 unemployed residents of Pasay City.

Greg Alcera, head of the city’s Public Employment Services Office, said the types of jobs that have been filled up include managerial positions as well as staff for the mall’s administration office and the different shops and stalls.

He also noted that around 3,000 employees hired by companies doing business inside the mall, are residents of nearby municipalities such as Muntinlupa, Parañaque and Las Piñas cities.

Earlier, city officials said Pasay residents would be given priority in the job hiring at the Mall of Asia.

He pointed out that an ordinance passed by the City Council provides that at least 60 percent of all applicants should come from Pasay City.

Alcera added that they are in fact, developing a networking system wherein jobless residents and their specific skills or expertise, are to be recorded in their office. "We will get in touch with them regarding available job openings. Sitting on a 19.5 hectares of reclaimed land, the Mall of Asia is considered the biggest mall in the country and the third in the world.

It has 600 shops and 150 dining establishments. The mall was formally opened last May 21. – Rhodina Villanueva