VIGAN CITY, Ilocos Sur (PIA) -- The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) opened various opportunities for Ilocos Sur residents during its Labor Day Festival held at the Provincial Farmers Livelihood Development Center on May 1.

Not only did some 90 jobseekers of the 381 individuals who tried their luck in applying for a job were hired-on-the-spot (HOTS) but they also availed of services and assistance provided by DOLE’s partner agencies, including the provincial government of Ilocos Sur.

DOLE Ilocos Sur Provincial Director Charity Ubilas said the annual event aims to help jobseekers land decent jobs and the public avail discounted commodity prices.

Jeffrey Time, 23, from Santo Domingo town, was immediately hired as a bagger at a supermarket.

He said, “This job fair helped me land a job that can help me and my family to help finance our daily needs. Thank you, DOLE and the provincial government for conducting this activity.”

Through the one-stop-shop, some 17 national government agencies offered services to the attendees of the event such as pampering services – massage, haircut, manicure, and pedicures, public assistance and inquiry on their services, and registration and orientation to their programs, among others.

Commodities at discounted prices were offered through the “Diskwento Caravan” and “Kadiwa ng Pangulo para sa mga Manggagawa” wherein some 82 sellers joined the activity.

Ubilas said the enterprises generated a total of P282,192 in sales.

The DOLE also awarded certificates of internship to 28 graduates of the government internship program in 2023.

They are now employed as job order employees at the local government unit of Santa and the University of Northern Philippines (UNP).

Through the support of offices of Senators Allan Peter Cayetano and Pia Cayetano, the DOLE also assisted members of Sinait Garlic Growers Association in Sinait town in Ilocos Sur, self-employed individuals, and parents of child laborers in Vigan City under its DOLE Integrated Livelihood Program (DILP).

The farmers received various equipment for garlic production while the other recipients were given equipment and materials that they could use to operate their businesses such as sari-sari stores, frozen and rice retailing, and goat raising.

Moreover, a memorandum of agreement between the DOLE and the UNP in this city on institutionalizing a job placement office at the university to assist the graduating college students through career coaching and the alumni in finding jobs.

Ubilas said the UNP was the first state university in the Ilocos Region to achieve this initiative.

UNP President Erwin Cadorna said, “To our alumni, the job placement office in the university is now open. You are free to visit and ask for necessary assistance for you to land decent jobs. Thank you so much to the DOLE and the provincial government of Ilocos Sur for this opportunity. I hope this partnership shall continue to help more UNP alumni and Ilocos Sur residents in general.”

The job placement office is incorporated as one of the offices under the Office of Student Affairs and Services of the university.

The DOLE, in partnership with the provincial government of Ilocos Sur, the Department of Trade and Industry, the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority, the Department of Agriculture, and other national government agencies conducted the annual event.

In his message, Gov. Jeremias Singson expressed his gratitude to all its partner agencies for working with the provincial government in building a network of opportunities for jobseekers, farmers, project beneficiaries, and all Ilocos Sur residents.

He said, “My highest commendation to the DOLE Regional Office 1 for staging this simultaneous national event right at the birthplace of the Father of the Philippine Labor movement – Don Isabelo Delos Reyes. Let us continue to exemplify the ideals of Don Isabelo De Los Reyes and champion the welfare of our workers as they are the strong foundation of this nation.” (JCR/MJTAB/JMCQ, PIA Ilocos Sur)