Helping the jobless find work, the provincial government of Davao Oriental held a massive province-wide Job Fair for jobseekers on September 23 as part of the provincial government’s strategies to defeat poverty.

Nearly a thousand applicants who registered via online and walk-in registration have applied for the 2,963 job vacancies from 24 participating employers– 22 of which are local-based companies while 2 are from overseas.

During the one-day job fair, 43 of the jobseekers were successfully hired on the spot or ‘HOTS’ and another 297 nearly-hired applicants. These applicants only need to submit additional requirements or attend further interviews or tests. Meanwhile, 302 qualified applicants are still in the process of employment.

While not everyone was given jobs, the Department of Employment distributed P4,200 each to 400 lucky applicants through a raffle draw.

Governor Corazon N. Malanyaon, who initiated the province-wide, said this is part of her administration’s intent to uplift the lives of her constituents.

She also encouraged those who were not hired not to lose hope. She urged them not to rely solely on employment but to explore other alternative means of livelihood, particularly those involving farming and entrepreneurial activities, especially now that the province is pushing the agriculture and tourism sectors.

“Our province has started by strengthening Davao Oriental’s agriculture sector. We implemented meaningful and people-centered programs and, at the same time, programs to help make the province a premier tourist destination in the country. Let us take advantage of these opportunities to uplift our lives,” Governor Malanyaon said.

The province-wide job fair was made possible through collaboration with the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), the Public Employment Services Office (PESO) headed by PESO Manager Restie Aguilon, and all other stakeholders. By Mark Oliver Alvite