BUTUAN CITY – The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) in Northeastern Mindanao or the Caraga region announced Tuesday afternoon the opening of 7,626 jobs during the celebration of Independence Day on Sunday, June 12.

“It will be up for grabs during our Independence Day celebration Job Fair at one of the city’s mall here this coming Sunday, June 12,” said DOLE 13 Regional Director Atty. Joffrey M. Suyao in a press conference at Inland Resort Hotel and Convention Center here Tuesday afternoon, June 7.

Of these job openings, 1,226 are for local employment while 6,400 are for overseas, the region’s top DOLE 13 official said.

There are about 850 registered nurses and 50 midwives are needed in Saudi Arabia, and 50 nurses and 300 careworkers are also needed in Japan, it said.

With the theme “Pagsulong sa hamon ng panibagong Bukas”, the DOLE Caraga Region 13 will lead the conduct of the 2022 Job Fair during the 124th “Na Taong Kalayaan ng Pilipinas” on Sunday June 12, 2022 at the Robinsons Place Butuan.

This will be participated by employers – 44 local employers and 7 recruitment agencies, Director Suyao said.

Topping the job offers for local jobseekers include drivers and bus conductors, production workers, field collectors and service drivers, while overseas jobs are nurses, engineers, caregivers, construction workers and drivers.

As part of the 124th Independence Day celebration, other agencies of the government will also participate.

The same activities will also take place in Agusan del Sur and Surigao del Norte (Surigao City).

Other government agencies joining the fair are the Philippine Statistics Authority, National Bureau of Investigation, Bureau of Internal Revenue, Social Security System, Home Development Mutual Fund, Philippine Health Insurance Corporation, Professional Regulation Commission, Department of Foreign Affairs, Philippine Overseas Employment Administration, and the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority.

“We are expecting big number of jobseekers to attend this event,” declared Director Suyao, adding ‘this is part of the national employment recovery strategy of the government.’

He said this jobs fair will further spur the economic recovery of this fast-rising region in Northeastern Mindanao.

“This job fair also signals the start of Caraga region’s full economic recovery over two years after the crippling disturbances brought by the Covid-19 pandemic,” the region’s top DOLE 13 official also told The Manila Bulletin on Tuesday afternoon.

This big event will also be participated by the DOLE attached agencies Regional Coordinating Committee (DOLE-RCC) - National Labor Relations Commission (NLRC), National Conciliation and Mediation Board (NCMB), Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA), Professional Regulation Commission (PRC), Regional Tripartite Wages and Productivity Boards (RTWPB), Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA), Employees’ Compensation Commission (ECC), Occupational Safety and Health Center (OSHC) and National Reintegration Center for OFWs (NRCO).

Meanwhile, during the same press conference, Regional Tripartite Wages and Productivity Board Xlll Secretary Earl D. Dela Victoria also announced the new minimum wage rate at P350 for Caraga region, effective June 6.