May job fairs yield 37K instant hires

Over 37,000 individuals were hired on the spot (HOTS) during the job fairs organized nationwide by the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) in May.

A total of 37,279 individuals flocked to the 71 job fair sites nationwide, organized by the DOLE, Regional Offices, and Public Employment Service Offices (PESOs).

According to the final report released by the Bureau of Local Employment, the nationwide job fairs achieved a HOTS placement rate of 15.07 percent, exceeding last year’s 11.10 percent.

The National Capital Region recorded the highest number of HOTS, followed by Western Visayas and Calabarzon.

President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., in a May speech during a job fair in Pasay, reaffirmed the government’s support not only for creating more jobs for Filipinos but also for making job opportunities more accessible through monthly job fairs.

"From July 2022 to February this year, more than 4,000 job fairs were held. One million Filipinos participated and almost 170,000 were hired-on-the-spot at the job fairs," Marcos noted.

Meanwhile, DOLE Secretary Bienvenido Laguesma emphasized the government’s dedication to promoting the welfare of Filipino workers and their families.

"The services and programs being carried out on this day reflect and represent the sincere and earnest desire of the Marcos Jr. administration to convey and extend concern and care for the welfare, rights, well-being, and livelihood of Filipino workers and their families," Laguesma said.

Further, 17,881 job seekers availed themselves of skills enhancement, livelihood assistance, entrepreneurship opportunities, and other government services provided by partner agencies such as the National Bureau of Investigation, Social Security System, Philippine Health Insurance Corp., Pag-IBIG Fund, and Technical Education and Skills Development Authority.

In total, 2,556 employers participated in the nationwide job fairs, offering 261,581 job vacancies.

Of these, 2,391 local employers provided 214,814 job opportunities, while 165 overseas agencies offered 46,767 vacancies.

The top local industries included manufacturing, retail, business process outsourcing (BPO), accommodation and food service activities, as well as financial and insurance activities.