VIGAN CITY, Ilocos Sur (PIA)—Some 51 job seekers were hired on-the-spot (HOTS) during the ninth One Ilocos Sur job fair held at the Provincial Farmers Livelihood Development Center here on August 15.
This program was spearheaded by the Provincial Government of Ilocos Sur (PGIS), in partnership with the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority, and the People’s Television Network Ilocos Sur.
Governor Jeremias Singson said, “The opportunities are overflowing in the province. Economic development has been one of the priorities of the PGIS, and we achieve it by providing opportunities for everyone to be employed and contribute to building an economically stable heritage province.”
The governor said this highlights the commitment of the administration to create viable spaces for income generation and economic empowerment.
DOLE Region I Assistant Regional Director Honorina Baga said in her message, “We recognize the conduct of job fairs as one of the employment facilitation strategies, along with labor market information and public employment services as our strategy to expand access to employment opportunities.”
She further recognized the initiatives of the provincial government and said that the agency has been a consistent partner of the province in its programs for employment.
Moreover, Provincial Board Member Ronnie Rapanut said, “In this event, we bring together jobseekers, employers, and stakeholders in our continuous efforts to strengthen the local workforce and boost the economy of our beloved province.”
Alliah Kate Rafanan, one of those HOTS and employed as a loan officer, said, “I am grateful to the Provincial Government of Ilocos Sur because it is no easy thing to find a job so quickly, yet with the One Ilocos Sur Job Fair, I got the job.”
There were a total of 2,240 job openings from 48 local employers and four overseas during the activity.
Different government agencies, such as the Department of Environment and Natural Resources, the Philippine Statistics Authority, and the Philippine Regulatory Commission, also joined to provide their services.
Meanwhile, farmers and micro, small, and medium enterprises in the province sold their farm produce and local products at the Kadiwa ng Pangulo, which was simultaneously conducted with the job fair. (AMB/VGS/PIA Ilocos Sur)
