As the nation honors the exceptional contributions of women to society, the Public Employment Service Offices (PESO) of Baras and Cainta took a step towards gender equality by organizing simultaneous job fairs in their respective municipalities. The events were a perfect platform for these skilled women to showcase their abilities and connect with potential employers who recognize the value of diversity and inclusivity in the workforce.

In Baras, six local companies and three overseas employment agencies looked for potential applicants that might be suited for their job vacancies.

A total of 78 applicants from the town and its nearby municipalities attempted to secure jobs in which nine applicants were hired-on-the spot (HOTS) as the hiring agents qualified for the opened positions in their companies.

Pauline Ruffa T. Suarez is a 24-year-old job hopeful who travelled from Tanay to look for possible employment opportunity during the job fair. She shared that she is having a hard time to secure a job especially during the peak of the COVID-19 pandemic.

“Sobrang hirap po lalo na po ‘nung nag-pandemic. Sobrang hirap po ng buhay dahil wala nga pong masyadong nag-oopen na mga job fair at trabaho para sa amin. Kaya po nahirapan po akong mag-apply lalo na po sa akin na senior high [school graduate] po,” Suarez expressed.

But good news came early as Suarez was one of the female applicants that were hired on-the-spot, securing a cashier position in Sanford Marketing (Savemore Supermarket). Suarez extended her gratitude to the Local Government Unit of Baras and to the Department for opening a career opportunity through the job fair. She also encouraged other jobseekers, especially women, not to quit and just continue achieving their objectives in life.

“Para sa mga kagaya kong kababaihan, huwag po kayong susuko. Hangga’t kaya, hangga’t may pagkakataon try lang po ng try hanggang makuha niyo rin po ang desire niyo sa buhay,” Suarez exclaimed.

As for the Mega Job Fair in Cainta, a total of 30 companies participated in the said activity.

Out of the 249 jobseekers who attended the activity, a total of 56 female jobseekers were able to secure a job with a total of 85 hired-on-the-spot.

Although it was a success, mounting a job fair like this is also challenging, according to PESO Cainta Manager, Wilfredo Sulit Jr.

“Ang challenge dito is matiyempuhan mo kung kailan ang season. Kasi nga nagbago ang panahon natin ngayon dahil sa pandemic, well I guess kailangan nating malaman kung kailan matatapos ang school year kung kailan talaga ang peak ng hiring, kaya ngayon nag-eexperiment pa rin tayo eh kaya sinubukan natin ng March," Sulit narrated.

Sulit also hopes that the Department can generate data as to the peak or season of job applications considering the changes to the academic calendar of schools and universities and other factors like re-opening of the economy due to pandemic.

“If you could help us na ma-track o kaya makita talaga kung kailan ang season, kasi sabi nga, we can do naman job fair all throughout the year. Sabi nga hindi namin kunin ‘yung quota na at least two, kumbaga puwede natin siyang gawin quarterly. Basta makakuha lang kami ng data regarding kung kailan ang pinaka-peak (ng job application),” Sulit added.

One of the mandates of the Department is to facilitate employment through job fair activities. This year, as the economy continuously reopens, DOLE Rizal Provincial Office noticed the increase in number of job fair activities in the province which can also be an indicator of increase in job opportunities in the province.


by:


FLINT OSRIC T. GOROSPE
LEO I


CHARMAINE D. BAISA
LEO III