Over 28,600 job seekers took advantage of the 151,000 local and overseas employment opportunities during the nationwide “Trabaho, Negosyo, Kabuhayan” (Jobs, Business, Livelihood) job and business fairs to mark Independence Day on Sunday.

Of the total, 2,405 applicants were assured of immediate employment, while close to 9,537 others were considered as near-hires, Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) Secretary Silvestre Bello III said in a news release, citing a report from the Bureau of Local Employment.

The labor chief underscored the government’s efforts toward employment recovery with the participation of 1,163 employers who brought with them 151,325 local and overseas jobs.

One of those hired on-the-spot during a job fair event at the Bulacan Capitol Gymnasium in Malolos City was 19-year-old Nina Mae Morales, who will soon be part of the marketing staff of the IndoPhil Group.

A senior high school graduate, Morales admitted that she was eager to work immediately.

“I learned about the job fair from our village. The application process was quick and I was among those hired on-the-spot,” Morales told DOLE in Filipino.

Meanwhile, 315 applicants were referred to the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority for training, 190 were referred to the Bureau of Workers with Special Concerns for livelihood training/assistance, and 267 were referred to the Department of Trade and Industry for business inquiries and concerns.

Aside from facilitating employment in the formal sector, DOLE also awarded emergency employment and livelihood assistance to vulnerable and marginalized workers.

Bello led the distribution of salaries for 1,286 Tulong Panghanapbuhay sa Ating Disadvantaged/Displaced Workers (TUPAD) Program beneficiaries in Bulacan.

Each worker received PHP4,200 for their 10-day engagement.

Through the DOLE Integrated Livelihood Program, Bello awarded bicycle units to 500 Freebis (Free Bisikleta) beneficiaries and Nego-Karts (Negosyo sa Kariton) to 563 informal sector workers. (PNA)