CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY -- The Department of Tourism Region 10 (DOT-10) and the Department of Labor and Employment Region 10 (DOLE-10) are urging all job seekers in the region to get ready as they will launch the ‘Trabaho, Turismo, Asenso!’ Philippine Tourism Job Fair Northern Mindanao leg on March 30 and March 31 this year at the Limketkai Atrium in this city.
The DOT-10 said the activity is primarily intended to bridge employment opportunities for the tourism industry and revitalize its workforce to recover from the losses during the pandemic.
Marie Elaine Unchuan, Department of Tourism Region 10 director, answers questions from the media during the “Trabaho, Turismo, Asenso!” Philippine Tourism Job Fair Northern Mindanao leg Press Conference at one of hotels in Cagayan de Oro City on Thursday, Feb. 28. (Photo courtesy of Franck Dick Rosete, Manila Bulletin)
Marie Elaine Unchuan, DOT-10 director, said in a press conference on Thursday, Feb. 28 that the DOLE-10 will provide a link for the online registration prior to the activity, but she said they will still accept walk-in applicants.
There will be 50 booths at the upcoming event and the said government agencies are hoping the booths will be occupied by the different employers in the region as they are targeting 50 employers and at least 500 jobs.
The DOT-10 will also designate an area for some tourism-related enterprises that are only looking for two to three employees.
“That is why we really need your [media] help so this reaches all of our areas in our region; so that those who are looking for job, and/or displaced or new students or graduates for TESDA can avail for this opportunity,” Unchuan said.
The regional offices of DOT and DOLE have already coordinated to the different Public Employment Service Offices (PESO) in the local government units (LGUs) to collect pertinent job posting information from partner establishments, verify their credibility, and supervise them while adhering to the established guidelines set by the agencies.
The collaboration has been stipulated under the Memorandum of Understanding signed by Tourism Secretary Christina Garcia Frasco and Labor Secretary Bienvenido Laguesma on Aug. 30 last year.
Albert Gutib, DOLE-10 director, said the upcoming 2-day activity will be the only job fair so far in the region. However, for job seekers in some parts of Northern Mindanao may visit Cagayan de Oro to participate or their respective PESO.
“The job vacancies that will be generated in this job fair will also be shared with our public employment service offices so that they have information and they can provide referrals to the job seekers in the province who are unable to go to Cagayan de Oro,” Gutib said.
Unchuan added that the DOT-10 also encourages its tourism officers from different provinces, cities and municipalities in the region to get the list of their job seekers.
“Just in case they cannot make it, we’re also looking at trying to arrange online interviews so that they can also get the opportunities of course if they are qualified for the jobs that are available," she said.
The DOT-10 director said that they also invited other government agencies to the upcoming event so that it would be easy for the applicants to get their necessary requirements, as the DOT-10 and DOLE-10 are aiming for ‘hired on the spot.’
Several tourism-related job opportunities will be available for the upcoming job fair, including positions in administration, accounting, marketing, human resource, front office, support staff, MICE operators, food and beverages, kitchen or food production, and housekeeping.
Job applicants should prepare their resume, application letter, 2x2 ID picture, and additional copies of each item if they intend to apply for several companies and positions.
Gutib and Unchuan both stressed that providing employment, not just in tourism but in all industries, has a vital role in boosting the economy which is significant in improving the lives of the people by having various job opportunities.