Legazpi City (18 June) -- Some 656 job applicants during the June 12 Independence Day Mega Job and Livelihood Fair were hired on the spot, according to the Department of Labor and Employment (DOL) regional office here yesterday.
Ernesto Bihis, DOLE Bicol regional director, said a total of 295 applicants were hired by government agencies, 258 by local employers while 103 were hired for overseas jobs.
Bihis said a total 8,267 job applicants participated in the one-day jobs fair held at the Albay Astrodome here which was jam-packed with job applicants who came from the six provinces of Bicol.
He added that a total of 12 government agencies, 32 local companies and 18 overseas employers participated in the job fair.
He also said that some P11 million worth of livelihood packages from DTI, DENR, DSWD, DOT, DOH and DOLE were distributed to recipients of livelihood projects in different provinces of Bicol.
TESDA meanwhile distributed a total of 900 Pangulong Arroyo Scholarship vouchers to qualified scholars.
Department of Budget (DBM) Secretary Rolando Andaya was the guest of honor and keynote speaker during the jobs fair which was also graced by Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile. (EA de Leon, PIA)