By Ferdinand Patinio | Philippine News Agency
Over 4,400 individuals were hired on the spot (HOTS) at the job fairs simultaneously held across the country on Friday in commemoration of 128th Philippine Independence Day, the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) said.
In a news release on Saturday, Labor Secretary Francis Tolentino said 4,476 job seekers were instantly given employment at the DOLE TRABAHO AGAD Job Fairs, citing data from the department’s Bureau of Local Employment.
Among those hired on the spot were production operators, service crew members, cashiers, sales associates, baggers, teachers, packagers, customer service representatives, clerks, and store clerks.
Sec. Tolentino noted that the figure already marks a sharp increase compared to 3,665 in 2022; 3,422 in 2023; 3,651 in 2024; and 3,722 in 2025.
He hailed the DOLE TRABAHO AGAD Job Fairs as a “massive success” and lauded the high hiring turnout as a testament to the department’s aggressive employment facilitation efforts.
Held in 61 sites across the country, this year’s event successfully connected job seekers directly with employers, allowing qualified applicants to receive immediate job offers and transition more quickly into gainful employment.
The department said the job fairs also promoted inclusive employment by creating opportunities for individuals from different sectors, including senior high school graduates embarking on their professional journeys, beneficiaries of the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps), and members of indigenous communities, providing them with sustainable pathways toward improved livelihoods.
It said the event likewise marked a fresh start for repatriated overseas Filipino workers and persons with disabilities who secured employment through equal-opportunity hiring.
The initiative supports the thrust of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s administration to intensify efforts in sustaining job creation, expanding employment opportunities across various sectors, and making government services more accessible to Filipinos, the DOLE said, adding that it also underscores the regular conduct of job fairs as a key strategy in bringing employment opportunities closer to communities nationwide.
Tolentino also recognized the strong partnership between the DOLE regional offices and the Public Employment Service Offices (PESOs), which was vital in the successful implementation of the initiative.
He thanked DOLE’s partner government agencies, such as the Social Security System (SSS) and Philippine Health Insurance Corp. (PhilHealth), for making the job fair a holistic public service event.
