ILOILO CITY (PIA6) – The celebration of the 122nd Labor Day in Iloilo City has given Ilonggos more opportunities as over 7,000 job vacancies were offered by different local and international companies in a job fair organized by the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE)-6 on May 1.

Data from the DOLE-6 revealed that they recorded more than 1,500 jobseekers during the fair, wherein 66 Ilonggos were hired on the spot (HOTS) by the companies they applied from.

Roselle Garalda, a 27-year-old applicant and a graduate of Bachelor of Science in Industrial Technology from Igbaras, Iloilo, shared that she applied as a sales crew and didn’t expect to be one of the HOTS, noting that it only took her around 15 minutes to be hired for the new job.

Rodriguez Jr., who led the event, said that the Labor Day celebration with the theme, “Sa Bagong Pilipinas: Mangagawang Pilipino, Kabalikat at Kasama sa Pag-asenso,” aims to recognize the role of employees in the nation’s growth; and in giving Filipinos equal opportunities for employment.

“Our hope is that through this job fairs, we can further boost the employment situation in the region. We don’t want poverty here as our dream is to help everyone succeed, to be given equal and more opportunities. This isn’t just DOLE’s job but everyone’s job,” Rodriguez added.

P32-M GOV'T AID FOR LABOR DAY

Aside from the employment opportunities, the Labor Day celebration also spotlighted the distribution of assistance to the beneficiaries of the different government programs.

The DOLE-6 released P10.94 million as salary of 2,091 beneficiaries of its Tulong Panghanapbuhay sa Ating Disadvantage Workers (TUPAD) program during a simultaneous payout in Iloilo City and the towns of Maasin, Pototan, Lambunao, and Estancia; while interns under the Government Internship Program (GIP) also received their stipends for their 15-day work.

Danilo Dela Peña, one of the TUPAD beneficiaries and a former tricycle driver from La Paz district, said that they received P4,800 each for their 10 days of work, noting that it is already a big help for his four children.

“We are thankful for this one as this is already a big boost to sustain our needs, especially for our food and other things inside the house,” he said.

Dona Dizon, a TUPAD beneficiary from Mandurriao district, likewise agreed to Dela Peña as she will use her salary to pay their electricity bill and for the other needs of her three children.

DOLE also awarded more than P21.24 million worth of checks to the proponents and accredited co-partners of 10 projects under the agency’s Integrated Livelihood Program (DILP).

The recipient of the said program include the National Irrigation Administration (NIA)-6 Jalaur River Multipurpose Project in Calinog town; Zarraga LGU; United Calayo Farmers’ Association in Cabatuan town; Brgy. Visita Alegre, Barotac Viejo; Brgy. Ilaya Poblacion, Barotac Nuevo; Brgy. Lagubang, Barotac Nuevo; Iloilo Coca-Cola Plant Employees Labor Union; Molo Transport Service Cooperative; Western Visayas Transport Cooperative; and the Magagmay nga Kristyanong Katilingban in Lemery, Iloilo. (AAL/JNH/PIA Iloilo)