SUBIC BAY FREEPORT — A total of 59 job applicants were hired right there and then by business locators during the first online job fair conducted by the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) last week.
SBMA Chairman and Administrator Wilma T. Eisma said that more workers are expected to join the Subic Bay Freeport workforce, as business locators here continue interviewing prospective employees and processing job application of those who joined the recent three-day job fair.
According to data from the SBMA Labor Department, 50 of the 59 workers hired on the spot were taken in by Philippines Easepal Technology Corp., a manufacturer of sports and athletic goods, outdoor bags, and waterproof backpacks. The firm hired 25 female and 25 male workers on the spot.
The rest were hired by Strategic Channel for Career Development (SCCD) Corp., a manpower placement firm, which accepted seven applicants; and Sam’s Group of Companies, a food service business, which hired two.
As of now, 174 other applicants have been scheduled for interview by various companies, said Rommel Aquino, head of the SBMA Labor Department’s Manpower Services Division.
These include 20 applicants set for interview by Sam’s Group of Companies; five by SBDMC, Inc.; 53 by SCCD Corp.; 35 by Subic Bay Freeport Grain Terminal Services, Inc.; and 11 by FFP Concept Planning Solutions Corp.
Chairman Eisma said a total of 695 jobs were offered by 16 Subic Bay Freeport locators and 18 other companies.
Meanwhile, a total of 2,609 jobseekers were served during the three-day event, out of a total of 4,605 applicants who pre-registered for the job fair.
The three-day online job fair, which was conducted via video conferencing, was hailed as a game-changer in this time of the Covid-19 pandemic when face-to-face interaction is considered risky.
“Thank you for building this site. It’s super easy to access and very helpful to applicants, while lessening the chance of spreading virus,” said Xyreile T. Gonzaga, an applicant from Olongapo City.
Marie Carilanda Francel Pamintuan, an applicant from Zambales, meanwhile observed that company representatives who received her virtual application during the job fair were very accommodating.
“Congratulations for this initiative. In these times of crisis, putting up a job fair provides great hope to the unemployed,” Pamintuan added.
The virtual job fair was part of the National Tourism Week celebration here that was organized to promote Subic Bay in partnership with the Department of Tourism (DOT) and NLEX Corporation.
Other online activities during the weeklong program were a free web seminar on the “Filipino Brand of Excellence” and the “Subic Bay Got Talent” online singing competition.