BACOLOD CITY – The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE)-6 (Western Visayas) urged employers and participating agencies to hire more job seekers during the Kalayaan Job Fair on June 12 here where more than 10,000 jobs are available.
10,000 vacancies up for grabs in Kalayaan job fair in Bacolod
Published Jun 11, 2025 09:28 pm
SIXTO Rodriguez Jr., regional director of the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE)-Western Visayas, and DOLE-Negros Occidental provincial head Carmela Abellar speak in a press briefing on Wednesday, June 11, on the June 12 job fair in Bacolod City. (DOLE Western Visayas FB)
Lawyer Sixto Rodriguez Jr., DOLE-6 regional director, said during a press briefing here on Wednesday, June 11, that the event aims to help fresh graduates and other job seekers find employment.
The job fair at the Main Atrium of SM City Bacolod which is part of the 127th Philippine Independence Day celebration with the theme “Kalayaan, Kinabukasan, Kasaysayan,” offers 10,386 job vacancies.
Of these, 8,852 local jobs are being offered by 57 companies while four licensed agencies are providing 1,534 overseas positions.
“Hopefully, our partner companies will hire more because we truly need more people to be employed in the region,” Rodriguez said as he invited jobseekers to be ready for interviews and check out the available job vacancies.
Rodriguez expressed optimism about the job fair, saying they expect a higher number of hires, especially with the success of their May 1 event where many applicants were hired on the spot.
“We’re hoping that the participating agencies will hire more workers this time,” Rodriguez said.
“Our responsibility is to promote employment and ensure decent and productive work for everyone in the region,” he added.
Rodriguez said DOLE only facilitates the job fair and they are not hiring. Qualifications and hiring standards still depend on each company, he said.
For fresh graduates who fail to secure jobs during the event, Rodriguez said they would be referred to other government agencies or internship programs.
Positions offered in local employment are manpower services, Business Process Outsourcing, retail, restaurants, manufacturing, lending, transport, insurance, and construction.
Overseas work are in Canada, Saudi Arabia, Japan, Malaysia, and China.
Rodriguez said the four licensed agencies ensure protection against illegal recruitment.
The job fair is open to all applicants, not just residents of this city or Negros Occidental.
Rodriguez said that job opportunities are not limited to graduates. Some positions are open to undergraduates, depending on the requirements.
DOLE-Negros Occidental Provincial Head Carmela Abellar said that 1,186 job seekers have registered online and walk-in applicants are welcome.
She said the job fair serves as a one-stop-shop where government agencies are present to help applicants process employment requirements.
“Our goal is to bring job opportunities closer to the people,” Abellar said.
“But in the end, it all depends on how prepared the applicants are. We’re hopeful that the vacancies offered by companies will match the qualifications of our job seekers,” she added.
DOLE will also hold a service caravan offering various government services and programs to the public and livelihood assistance will be distributed during the event.
The Guin-olayan Agrarian Reform Cooperative will receive P1.5 million under the DOLE Integrated Livelihood Program (DILP) for an agricultural enterprise project in Manapla, Negros Occidental.
Three-thousand, sixty-two beneficiaries from 21 barangays here will receive P15.7 million in TUPAD emergency employment assistance to be awarded in a separate event at the DOLE SWDC building.
DOLE will mark the World Day Against Child Labor on June 12 at 888 GT Mall with the theme “Sa Bagong Pilipinas: Mag-aaral ang Bata, Hindi Manggagawa!”
Activities include the signing of a Memorandum of Agreement with several non-government organizations and advocacy groups.
Fifteen Kadiwa vendors will showcase and sell organic products at reduced prices during a two-day Fiesta Market at Ayala Malls Capitol Central here on June 12 and 13.