SAN FERNANDO CITY, La Union (PIA) -- Some 19,536 job opportunities will be available for job seekers in the Ilocos region during the celebration of the 122nd Labor Day to be spearheaded by the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) Ilocos on May 1. 

This year's annual celebration goes with the theme, “Sa Bagong Pilipinas: Manggagawang Pilipino, Kabalikat at Kasama sa Pag-Asenso.”

There will be 13,602 local opportunities and 5,934 work slots abroad to be offered among job hunters in the region. 

Job seekers may visit any of the six job fairs to be simultaneously hosted by the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) Ilocos Region with 183 participating employers or business owners.

Venues will be at the Robinsons Place Ilocos in San Nicolas, Ilocos Norte; the Provincial Farmers Livelihood Center in Vigan City, Ilocos Sur; and at the Camp Diego Silang, La Union Police Provincial Office (LUPPO) in San Fernando City, La Union.

In Pangasinan, three job fairs will be staged in the following locations: Provincial Employment Services Office (PESO) Capitol Complex in Lingayen; the atrium of CSI Mall in Dagupan City; and the Magic Mall in Urdaneta City.

Teresa Bonavente, chief of the DOLE-1 Technical Services Support Division, noted that most of the types of jobs to be opened in the region are customer service representatives, construction workers, service crews, bus drivers, technical support representatives, plumbers, electricians, loan officers, and welders.

Bonavente noted that applicants need to prepare their resume, and copies of transcript of records, as well as certificates of training and certificates of employment.

“For first-time job seekers, a one-stop shop of government services will also be put up in our venues to assist them in securing other requirements as needed like birth certificate and police clearance,” she said.

She added, “And for those who are uncertain how to proceed and deal with the job interview, we have personnel on the ground who can provide employment coaching and mentoring.”

Interested applicants are encouraged to pre-register through bit.ly/R1LaborDayJF2024.

Meanwhile, Regional Director Exequiel Ronie Guzman shared that DOLE-1, in partnership with the Provincial Government of La Union and LUPPO, will provide free transportation assistance to and from the venue for job seekers in the province.

On the other hand, applicants in the provinces of La Union and Pangasinan will not have to worry about their snacks as labor unions in the area volunteered to prepare snacks for free.

"It is great that we have strong partnership with other regional line agencies, local government units, and labor unions; it enable us to go an extra mile on bringing employment opportunities for our kababayan, especially for those who may be financially challenged," Guzman said. 

On the other hand, DOLE-1 will also spearhead the conduct of the Kadiwa ng Pangulo and Diskwento Caravan during the annual activity where job seekers, as the main target clients, may avail of some commodities at lower and affordable prices. (JCR/MJTAB/CGCC, PIA Region 1)