OVER 100 JOBSEEKERS HIRED ON THE SPOT IN BATANGAS LABOR DAY JOB FAIR

For many undergraduates forced to pause their studies due to financial constraints, securing stable employment can be difficult. 

This reality is shared by Albert Vincent Marco and Alaiza Felix, who chose to prioritize supporting their families over completing achieving their academic dreams.

At 22, Albert traveled all the way from Lobo, Batangas in search of better opportunities. Faced with limited job prospects in their hometown, he decided to try his fate at a job fair. His effort paid off when he was hired on the spot by NATCORP Career Growth & Manpower Services Inc.

“Napilitan po akong maghanap ng trabaho dahil napa-stop ako sa pag-aaral. Ito na lang po ang maaasahan ko ngayon. Alas-sais pa lang ng umaga umalis na ako dahil mahirap ang biyahe. Sa kabutihang palad, natanggap po ako pagkatapos ng interview,” he shared.

Meanwhile, 20-year-old Alaiza once dreamed of becoming an educator, but financial instability led her to redirect her path. Determined to help her family, she made the difficult decision to stop her studies and look for work.

After patiently waiting for her turn at the job fair, Alaiza also secured her first job as a production operator at Epson Precision Philippines Inc.

“Kailangan ko pong tumigil sa pag-aaral dahil sa kakulangan sa pera at kailangan kong tumulong sa pamilya. Maraming salamat po sa DOLE sa pagbibigay ng ganitong oportunidad sa aming mga Pilipino,” she said.

Albert and Alaiza are among the 153 jobseekers hired on the spot out of 917 applicants from Batangas and nearby areas during the 2026 Labor Day Job Fair held at Robinsons Lipa.

Organized by DOLE Batangas in partnership with the Public Employment Service Office (PESO) Lipa, the job fair forms part of the annual Labor Day celebration and underscores DOLE’s commitment to promoting safe, accessible, and decent employment opportunities for all.

During the opening ceremony, DOLE Batangas Provincial Director Predelma M. Tan acknowledged both jobseekers and participating companies as well as the national government agencies representatives who joined the Labor Day event.  

In her remarks, Director Tan underscored the significance of Labor Day, highlighting the shared commitment of the government and Filipino workers in nation-building, especially in the face of ongoing challenges.

Moreover, Ms. Janeth Revilles, Mall Manager of Robinsons Lipa, reaffirmed the mall’s continuous commitment to supporting government initiatives, including recruitment and placement efforts such as the job fair. Meanwhile, Lipa PESO Manager Mark Joseph Trinos also expressed his gratitude to the DOLE Batangas for its continued partnership in bringing employment programs closer to their constituents. 

In addition to the participating local companies, several government agencies were present to provide services to applicants, including the Social Security System (SSS), Pag-IBIG Fund, Department of Health (DOH), Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA), Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA), and the Civil Service Commission (CSC).

The event also recognized outstanding beneficiaries and partners of SPES, GIP, and JobStart programs for their exemplary performance and contributions.

With continued collaboration between DOLE, government agencies and the private sector, initiatives like these remain vital in connecting Filipinos to meaningful opportunities, ensuring the dreams like those of Albert and Alaiza are not left behind, only redirected toward new possibilities.#

Job seekers lined up prepared with their resume in hopes of a new job opportunity

Albert (left) and Alaiza (right) are among the hired-on-the-spot job seekers during the job fair.  

 Local companies and several government agencies are present during the job fair to provide services and opportunities for Filipino job seekers

Outstanding SPES, GIP, and JobStart beneficiaries and partners were awarded for their performance and contribution for the year 2025.