By
Dominic I. Sanchez
ZAMBOANGA
CITY – Hundreds of jobseekers coming from the city and the
neighboring provinces yesterday (September 8) flocked to the Centro Latino in
Paseo del Mar here to apply in local companies and offices in a jobs fair
organized by the Public Employment Services Office (PESO), in partnership with
the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE).
Maritess
Daculan, 26, came all the way from Zamboanga Sibugay province to apply for a
local fishing and canning company. “I have friends who are now working here in
a canning company. I wish to work there too, since I am in need of a job to
earn a living,” she said.
According
to the PESO, companies that are currently hiring include several restaurant
chains, canning companies, hardware stores, schools and universities,
government offices and non-uniformed personnel under the Philippine National
Police (PNP). Other companies that joined the jobs fair include upcoming malls
in the city.
City
Hall revealed that over 2,000 job vacancies are available for both skilled and
unskilled workers. Moreover, they are encouraging fresh graduates to apply.
This
September’s fair is one of the city government’s many jobs fairs that has been
conducted several times a year to provide employment opportunities in the hope
of addressing poverty among residents.
According
to City Hall, the jobs fair also intends to “meet manpower requirements of
various industries that will soon operate in Zamboanga.” Among those include
two Citimall branches in Guiwan and Tetuan and the 3.5-hectare stretch of KCC
Mall along Governor Camins Avenue.