PRIVATE SECTOR, DOLE, PESO UNITE FOR EMPLOYMENT GROWTH THROUGH JOB FAIR, OPEN DOORS FOR NEW GRADUATES

DOLE-Batangas
Aug 19
2 min read

For Jamaica Bara, who recently graduated from college, looking for a job is a new challenge to conquer outside the walls of classrooms. From lining up during flag ceremonies in school to standing in line for a job application, Jamaica admits that, despite the hardships, she remains hopeful for a brighter future ahead of her.

“Ako po ay fresh graduate po from Kolehiyo Lungsod ng Lipa po. Recently graduate lang po nitong June 27 as a fresh grad po ako po ay gusto po makapag trabaho agad para na rin makatulong sa parents ko po yun talaga po yung main reason ko po,” Jamaica narrated.

Just in time for her much-needed assistance in job hunting, Jamaica found refuge with the job fair initiated by the private sector and supported by the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) and the Public Employment Service Office (PESO).

*Jamaica applies for her first job as a fresh college graduate. (Photo by: A. Magpantay)*

A few hours inside the job fair site, after an interview and assessment, Jamaica finally found her first job in a manufacturing company, making her one of the job seekers in the roster of HOTS, or hired-on-the-spot.

*Fresh grad, first job. Jamaica celebrates her new job as a hired-on-the-spot job seeker. (Photo by: A. Magpantay)*

“Sobra po s’yang nakatulong kasi nga po as a fresh graduate, hindi mo alam kung saan pupunta. Hindi mo alam kung saan mag-a-apply. Hindi mo rin alam kung saan magsisimula. Dahil nga po dito [sa job fair] napakaraming opportunities, napakarami mo pong pamimilian…Unang una po sa lahat maraming maraming salamat po dahil po nag[sagawa] kayo ng isang Job fair po kung saan po hindi lang po sa akin nakatulong kundi po sa napakarami pong tao thank you po,” she remarked.

In her speech during the opening program, DOLE IV-A OIC Assistant Regional Director, Atty. Rosita C. Villaluz emphasized the importance of public and private partnerships in delivering effective employment facilitation services for the community.

*Atty. Villaluz delivers the message of DOLE IV-A Regional Director Atty. Erwin N. Aquino during the opening program of the job fair. (Photo by: A. Magpantay)*

"I would like to express my deepest gratitude to LIMA Estate for organizing this event, and to all the employers and stakeholders who made this possible. Together, we will continue to build a more inclusive and prosperous CALABARZON, with Batangas at its heart," Atty. Villaluz said.

Based on the official report submitted last July 8, 2025, the job fair catered to 1,193 job seekers from all over Batangas and nearby areas and recorded 60 individuals, hired-on-the-spot.

Aside from the local companies, several government agencies provided services, including the Social Security System, Philhealth, PhilPost, the Philippine Statistics Authority, and the National Bureau of Investigation.

Local government officials and the representative from the Public Employment Service Office of Malvar graced the activity, and the DOLE IV-A Batangas Provincial Office personnel also monitored the conduct of the job fair to ensure its compliance with the Department Order No. 113 series of 2011.

The said activity highlighted the vital role of the public and private sectors in realizing the goal of the Department in providing full, decent, and productive employment for all.#