Kalayaan Job Fair Offers Over 10,000 Jobs in Bacolod
BACOLOD CITY – The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE)-6 in Western Visayas called on employers and partner agencies to hire more workers during the Kalayaan Job Fair on June 12. The event promises more than 10,000 jobs, aiming to support fresh graduates and job seekers in the region.
Lawyer Sixto Rodriguez Jr., the DOLE-6 regional director, shared during a press briefing that the fair will take place at the Main Atrium of SM City Bacolod. This job fair, part of the 127th Philippine Independence Day celebration themed “Kalayaan, Kinabukasan, Kasaysayan,” features 10,386 vacancies. Among these, 8,852 are local jobs offered by 57 companies, while four licensed agencies provide 1,534 overseas positions.
Employers Encouraged to Hire More Workers
Rodriguez urged partner companies to increase their hiring efforts, emphasizing the region’s need for more employment opportunities. “Hopefully, our partner companies will hire more because we truly need more people to be employed in the region,” he said, inviting job seekers to come prepared for interviews and explore the many openings.
He expressed optimism about the event’s success, recalling the May 1 job fair where many applicants secured immediate employment. “We’re hoping that the participating agencies will hire more workers this time,” Rodriguez added, highlighting DOLE’s commitment to promoting decent and productive work across Western Visayas.
Job Fair Details and Opportunities
While DOLE facilitates the job fair, hiring decisions rest with the participating companies, which set their own qualifications and standards. For fresh graduates who do not land jobs during the fair, Rodriguez mentioned referral options to other government agencies or internship programs.
Local positions cover a variety of sectors, including manpower services, business process outsourcing (BPO), retail, restaurants, manufacturing, lending, transport, insurance, and construction. Overseas jobs are available in countries such as Canada, Saudi Arabia, Japan, Malaysia, and China. The four licensed agencies participating guarantee protection against illegal recruitment.
Open to All Applicants, Including Undergraduates
The job fair welcomes all applicants, not just those from Bacolod or Negros Occidental. Some positions also accept undergraduates, depending on the specific job requirements.
DOLE-Negros Occidental Provincial Head Carmela Abellar reported that 1,186 job seekers had already registered online, with walk-in applicants still encouraged. She described the event as a one-stop-shop where government offices assist applicants in processing necessary employment documents.
“Our goal is to bring job opportunities closer to the people,” Abellar said. “But in the end, it all depends on how prepared the applicants are. We’re hopeful that the vacancies offered by companies will match the qualifications of our job seekers.”
Additional DOLE Programs and Activities
Alongside the Kalayaan Job Fair, DOLE plans a service caravan to provide public access to various government services and livelihood assistance. The Guin-olayan Agrarian Reform Cooperative in Manapla, Negros Occidental, will receive P1.5 million under the DOLE Integrated Livelihood Program for an agricultural project.
Furthermore, 3,062 beneficiaries from 21 barangays will be awarded P15.7 million in TUPAD emergency employment assistance in a separate ceremony at the DOLE SWDC building.
Advocacy and Market Events
DOLE will also observe the World Day Against Child Labor on June 12 at 888 GT Mall with the theme “Sa Bagong Pilipinas: Mag-aaral ang Bata, Hindi Manggagawa!” Activities include signing a Memorandum of Agreement with NGOs and advocacy groups.
Meanwhile, fifteen Kadiwa vendors will hold a two-day Fiesta Market at Ayala Malls Capitol Central on June 12 and 13, offering organic products at discounted prices.
For more news and updates on Kalayaan Job Fair, visit Filipinokami.com.