General Santos City – In celebration of the 2022 Independence Day, the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) XII conducted the Kalayaan 2022 Trabaho Negosyo Kabuhayan (TNK) Job and Business Fairs on June 12, 2022 at KCC Mall of GenSan Convention and Events Center.

The Independence Day celebration opened through a ceremonial ribbon cutting by DOLE Regional Director Raymundo G. Agravante, represented by Assistant RD Arlene R. Bisnon together with City Councilor Lourdes Casabuena, Engr. Ethel Gumana of the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) XII and Ms. Joylen Labanon of the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) XII.

ARD Bisnon read the message of Labor Secretary Silvestre “Bebot” Bello III wherein he expressed his gratitude for the diligence and resilience of the Filipino workforce in helping sustain our economy.

“As our jobseekers brave today’s job fair activities, we wish you good luck in your job hunting. We are hoping that many of you present today will be hired on the spot as we welcome you to the world of work,” added ARD Bisnon.

The event also highlighted the services provided by other participating agencies such as the bartending, table skirting, and flower arrangement demonstration of TESDA, Entrepreneurial Mind Setting Orientation of DTI, and the National ID Registration of the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) XII.

A total of 750 registered jobseekers braved their way to 72 employers with 3,937 vacancies. The event recorded 30 Hired on the Spot (HOTS) with 63 Near Hires.

Raihana S. Randy, 30 years old from General Santos City, was fortunate to be one of the HOTS, landing a job as a cashier in one of the malls in the City.

“Maraming salamat po sa DOLE 12 at nabigyan ako ng pagkakataong magkaroon ng trabaho dahil dito sa Job Fair,” she added.

The jobseekers who were hired-on-the-spot include cashiers, bagger, service crew, and sales associates, among others.

The jobseekers also took advantage of the different frontline services of participating agencies through the One-Stop-Shop Services and the COVID-19 vaccination drive of the City Health Office which recorded 46 jabs in total.

Meanwhile, DOLE 12 awarded a total of Php 4,653,534.00 worth of livelihood checks to the Local Government Units (LGU) of Columbio and Tacurong City as its Accredited Co-Partners (ACPs), providing livelihood opportunities to 265 beneficiaries.

Also, as part of its month-long celebration of the 2022 World Day Against Child Labor, DOLE XII, in coordination with the Regional Tripartite Industrial Peace Council (RTIPC) XII handed over hygiene kits, school supplies, and basic goods to 50 profiled child laborers under the Project Angel Tree.

This year’s theme “Pagsuong sa Panibagong Hamon ng Bukas,” commemorates the bravery and patriotism of all Filipino men and women as we continue to move forward for a productive and healthy economy. End/CKBataga