Over 1,200 join Cebu mega job fair

CEBU, Philippines — At least 1,263 jobseekers attended the 2026 World Café of Opportunities (WCO) Mega Local and Overseas Job Fair on Saturday at a mall in Cebu City, where 26 employers offered 4,282 job vacancies.

Based on data from the Cebu City Department of Manpower Development and Placement (DMDP) as of 4:30 p.m., 23 employers offered 2,222 local vacancies, while three overseas employers had 2,060 job openings.

Of the total applicants, 778 were women and 485 were men. The job fair also generated 192 hires-on-the-spot (HOTS), including 147 women and 45 men.

The activity was organized by the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) Cebu Provincial Office in partnership with the DMDP, Department of Migrant Workers (DMW), and SM Seaside City Cebu.

Held from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., the WCO was part of the celebration of National Tech-Voc Day under Republic Act No. 10970, which recognizes the role of technical-vocational education and training in developing a skilled and productive workforce.

Aside from employment opportunities, the activity provided participants with information on technical-vocational training, scholarships, entrepreneurship, livelihood programs, and government services.

Participating government agencies included Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth), Pag-IBIG, Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA), National Bureau of Investigation (NBI), Social Security System (SSS), DMW, LandBank of the Philippines, and the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE).

The WCO sought to bring employment and skills-development opportunities closer to Cebuano jobseekers by providing a one-stop venue where they could directly connect with employers, training institutions, government agencies, and industry partners.

The activity also highlighted the role of technical-vocational education and training in preparing workers for industry needs and creating pathways toward employment, entrepreneurship, and sustainable livelihood.

Meanwhile, DOLE reported that the number of employed Filipinos reached 50.66 million in June 2026, while the labor force grew to 53.25 million and the labor force participation rate rose to 65.1 percent.

Among the initiatives aimed at expanding access to employment is the “Trabaho Agad Job Fair,” led by DOLE Secretary Francis Tolentino, which brings jobseekers and employers together and provides faster access to employment opportunities.

DOLE said it would continue to promote productive, inclusive, resilient, and future-ready jobs for Filipinos.