NAGA CITY, Camarines Sur (PIA) — Janice Marie Tagongtong, a surprised but grateful 24-year-old graduate from San Juan, Baao, Camarines Sur, couldn’t believe that this year’s Independence Day celebration would bring her an unforgettable memory.
Participating in a job fair for the first time, she was hired on the spot at the recently concluded job fair.
“Hindi po ako makapaniwala. First time ko kasi pumunta sa Job Fair. Marami na rin akong napag aplayan na iba, pero wala pa pong tumatanggap. Kaya nagpapasalamat po ako sa Dyos, sa biyayang ito,” Tagongtong said.
(I still can’t believe it. This is my first time attending a job fair. I have tried applying to other agencies but no one has hired me yet. I am grateful to God for this blessing.)
Tagongtong was hired as an office staff at Stance Sales and Distribution.
When asked why she was hired on the spot, she mentioned that it might be because of her bubbly personality and how much she enjoyed talking to the hiring manager.
Like many other graduates, she recalled feeling pressured after graduating in 2022 and remaining jobless in the succeeding years.
Delivering the speech on behalf of Labor Secretary Bienvenido Laguesma, DOLE Provincial Head Ella Verano thanked the city government of Naga, Metro Naga Public Employment Service Office (PESO), and SM City Naga for the invaluable partnership.
“Kami po ay taos-pusong nagpapasalamat dahil hindi lang kasaysayan ang ating ipinag diriwang ngayong araw, kundi pati na ang kinabukasan na ating pinapanagrap para sa bawat Bicolano, lalong lalo na sa mga Nagueños, sa pamamagitang ng job fair,” Verano said.
(We are sincerely grateful because we are celebrating history today and the future that we are planning for every Bicolano, especially the Nagueños, through the job fair.)
The one-day job fair offered over 7,000 job openings, with 952 from 289 local employers and 1,182 job opportunities from four overseas placement agencies.
There were also 5,014 employment opportunities from two government agencies: 4,829 from the Philippine Army and 185 from the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA).
Support agencies such as the National Bureau of Investigation, PhilHealth, Social Security System, Pag-IBIG Fund, Naga City Registry Office, the Department of Migrant Workers, DOLE, and PSA were present to provide applicants with their employment requirements.
The event, which took place on Wednesday, June 12 at SM City Naga, was organized by the city government of Naga in collaboration with the Metro Naga PESO, the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) in Camarines Sur, and SM City Naga.
The event was held to celebrate the 76th Naga City Charter anniversary and the 126th Philippine Independence Day under the theme: “Kalayaan, Kasaysayan, at Kinabukasan.” (LSM-PIA5/Camarines Sur)
