VIGAN CITY, Ilocos Sur – The Department of Labor and Employment-Region 1 said graduating students and undergraduates are welcome to join job fairs in the Ilocos region on May 1 in celebration of Labor Day. DOLE-Region 1 Director Exequiel Ronie A. Guzman said that students graduating in May or June are most welcome to join the job fairs. “DOLE is more than happy to accommodate graduating students in our scheduled job fairs, and we are inspired by their zeal, vigor, and optimism to become fresh entrants in the labor force,” said Guzman. He said graduating students may simply tell their potential employers during the interview that they are just awaiting the schedule of their graduation and that they will receive their diplomas soon. “We are in touch with the participating employers and we enjoin them to be more lenient on their qualification requirements, especially for entry-level positions,” he said. Guzman said undergraduates are also welcome to the job fairs as a number of vacancies only require a minimum of two years in college. Senior high school graduates may also try their luck as some employers would also hire even those who have not entered college. We tell employers to put emphasis on their applicants’ work ethics and values, more than their educational attainment or work experiences, Guzman said. DOLE-Region 1 has listed more than 23,0000 job vacancies for the Labor Day job fairs in four venues in the Ilocos. Main venue is here at the Farmers Livelihood Development Center at the provincial capitol. Seventy-two employers will participate and screen applicants for 6,615 vacancies. In Urdaneta City, Pangasinan, 35 employers will offer a total of 6,124 jobs at the MMX Event Center at Magic Mall. In Santa Barbara, Pangasinan, there will be 30 employers and 3,082 job vacancies at the Orbos Gym. Most vacancies will be offered at the PESO Building, Lingayen, Pangasinan, with 8,022 vacancies from 23 employers.