ILOILO CITY, Dec. 04 (PNA)–Thousands of jobseekers trooped to the Iloilo Provincial Capitol lobby as early as 7:00 a.m. on Wednesday to take part in the job fair organized by the provincial government’s Public Employment Service Office (PESO).
Some applicants had pre-registered a few days earlier, a move initiated by PESO-Iloilo to facilitate the smooth conduct of the activity.
PESO-Iloilo manager Francisco Heler, Jr. said 69 firms participated in the job fair offering over 4,000 job opportunities.
Participating firms include local establishments such as automotive companies, construction companies, airline, distributors, hotels, insurance, malls, real estate, call centers (BPOs) and overseas recruitment agencies.
Heler observed that this month’s job fair may have the largest turn-out so far with applicants crowding the Capitol lobby and even at the entrance canopy.
Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE)-6 assistant regional director Salome Siaton lauded the provincial government for conducting the job fair.
She said the activity is very timely since Western Visayas region registered a 7.5% unemployment rate this year which is higher compared to last year’s 6.2 percent.
“I hope that many applicants would be hired on the spot today,” Siaton quipped.
Board Member Demy Sonza represented Gov. Arthur Defensor, Sr., who was in Estancia, Iloilo for an important undertaking with national government officials, in the ceremonial opening of the job fair.
Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) regional director Yolanda Porschwitz also graced the opening ceremony.
Meanwhile, F. Gurrea Construction and YWA Human Resource Agency were given certificates of recognition as top performing local and recruitment agency, respectively, for the year 2012-2013.(PNA)