Jobseekers flood job fairs at CICC, Abellana

CEBU, Philippines - Two-hundred two job applicants were hired on the spot at the Cebu provincial government’s job fair held at the Cebu International Convention Center yesterday.

More than 2,000 job applicants went to vie for more than 4,000 job vacancies offered by 49 participating companies.

Department of Labor and Employment Cebu Province Field Office chief Maria Grace Diaz said some applicants have yet to be evaluated while others have yet to undergo a final interview by the companies they applied with.

Chief labor and employment officer of Cebu province Mathea Baguia said most of those who were hired on the spot were hired by department stores, manufacturing, retail firms and marketing firms.

Those who were hired by department stores were hired as sales clerks, cashiers, checkers and baggers.

Baguia advised those who were not accepted not to lose hope and continue applying for a job.

Applicants got a surprise when Governor Gwendolyn Garcia and Cebu Third District Rep. Pablo John Garcia went to the CICC. Both officials announced last week that they will run for higher office, the governor for senator and her younger brother for governor.

The governor asked for the help of the people to help her serve the Cebuanos and the entire country as she will be a “senator that people will see and touch” while Rep. Garcia likened himself as a “job applicant” as he himself is applying for a job as a governor.

“We are in the same boat. Hope to see you one of these days adto sa inyong gitrabahoan nga malambuon,” the congressman said.

Governor Garcia added that the provincial government will continue looking for ways to help its constituents look for jobs.

“We will have more job fairs para makakita gyud mo og trabaho and at the same time matuman gayud ang inyong mga damgo alang sa inyong kalambuan,” the governor said.

The applicants were not just from Cebu as others came from as far as Bohol, Negros Occidental and Oriental, North Cotabato and Zamboanga.

Baguia further said several companies wanted to join in yesterday’s job fair but were not accepted due to time constraint.

Diaz added that the provincial government will also have a foreign job fair on June 24 where more than 20,000 different jobs will be available.

In Cebu City, about 400 jobseekers trooped to the Cebu City Sports Center where representatives of 42 companies and labor recruitment agencies accepted the invitation of City Hall’s Department of Manpower Development and Placement to join the jobs fair.

“Nindot man gud kon anhi ta mang-apply sa mga jobs fair kay dili ka mabiktima sa mga fly-by-night recruitment agencies nga mangayo og kwarta pero dili ka makatrabaho,” said Gemma Alegre who is applying for a job in the United Arab Emirates.

Department of Labor and Employment-7 Regional Director Ma. Gloria Tango said the Filipino workers are welcome abroad because of our habit of being hardworking.

Some of those who trooped to sports center yesterday admitted that they were already employed and were just there to seek greener pastures.

“Basin diay og madawat mi sa overseas job,” said jobseeker Richard Fuentes of Argao.

Before the jobs fair was conducted, Mayor Michael Rama and other City Hall officials and employees attended a Mass at the Sto. Rosario Church, then jogged around the new rubberized track oval of the sports center.

Another job fair was conducted in SM City in the North Reclamation Area.

DOLE’s activities for the 109th Labor Day Celebration were held yesterday at University of San Carlos- South Campus. “It is sinful,” Palma said. 

–with Jeffrey John G. Bungcasan/BRP (FREEMAN)