CITY OF SAN FERNANDO, Pampanga – A total of 96 applicants were hired-on-the-spot (HOTS) during the simultaneous job fairs led by the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) in Central Luzon.
The HOTS were among the 1,583 job seekers who attended the job-matching activities held in the cities of San Fernando in Pampanga, Cabanatuan, and Olongapo wherein about 9,400 job vacancies were offered by 109 participating companies.
DOLE Regional Director Geraldine Panlilio said the job fairs are part of the agency’s ongoing efforts to expand access to productive, fairly compensated, freely chosen, and sustainable employment opportunities.
“We are inching our way to the lowest unemployment rate which dropped at 3.2 percent in November 2024, down from 3.6 percent in the same month of 2023. This is why we need you to be our able partner, so job seekers and those looking for workers can both connect and match their needs,” she added.
Panlilio also cited that the government is planning to hold nationwide job fairs every month to further reduce unemployment.
“DOLE remains committed to bridging job seekers and employers in order to foster a stronger, more inclusive labor market,” she pressed.
Among those hired was Charles Manalansan from Floridablanca, Pampanga, who secured a position as a sales clerk.
“I did not expect that the moment I sat down, I was hired after a few minutes. This job fair is a huge help to us, and I am grateful,” he said.
As part of the event. 45 local sellers took part in the Kadiwa ng Pangulo initiatives to provide affordable agricultural products and other commodities to the community. (CLJD/MJSC, PIA Region 3-Pampanga)