ZAMBOANGA
CITY – Thousands of local and overseas jobs were made available in
a jobs fair conducted at the Zamboanga Economic Zone and Freeport Authority
(ZamboEcozone) during the 133th Labor Day celebration last May 1.
Spearheaded
by the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE)-IX in partnership with the
Zamboanga Economic Zone and Freeport Authority (ZamboEcozone), the city
government and other line agencies, the activity started as early as 7 a.m.
with a free ride for the jobseekers from the City Hall to the Ecozone area,
some 20 kilometers from the city proper.
Over
25,000 overseas jobs for skilled and professional workers and some 2,000 local jobs
are up for grabs, according to a DOLE jobs posting. Local job openings are for
canning factories, malls, government offices and others.
Thousands
of jobseekers flocked to the jobs fair and they submitted their applications to
the representatives of the different companies and overseas agencies.
A private
company representative said these companies are going “to examine the candidates’
qualifications and will immediately notify them if they are short-listed.”
During
the Labor Day celebration, the Ecozone also opened its facilities, including
the pool, zipline, cable car, bowling lane and others to the public for free. However,
those who went there were busy with their applications.
The jobseekers
also expressed their thanks to the government for holding the jobs fair. “It is
a good opportunity to find jobs fast,” said one applicant. But most applicants
are requesting that future jobs fair be held at the city proper, as the free
rides could only accommodate limited number of people.
Other
activities conducted at the Ecozone during the Labor Day were skills
demonstration by TESDA scholars, turnover of livelihood starter kits, Diskwento
Fairs, raffles, sports competitions and others. (Sheila May Aquino)