A total of 1,056 residents in the provinces of Ilocos Norte and Cagayan flocked to the Laoag City Centennial Arena on Monday to apply as factory workers in Taiwan.
Upon learning through a social media post of the local government that Taiwan jobs are available at the job fair even for high school graduates, 28-year-old Walter Fontanila from Barangay 30 Baoa West, Batac City, Ilocos Norte immediately informed his friends.
“Gusto ko lang makatulong sa family ko at sa anak ko para hindi nila maranasan ang hirap na dinanas ko (I just want to help my family and provide for my child to spare them the hardships I experienced),” he told the Philippine News Agency Monday after submitting his credentials to some of the 12 direct employers at the job fair.
The job fair was held in coordination with the Manila Economic and Cultural Office (MECO), Department of Migrant Workers and the offices of Ilocos Norte 1st District Rep. Ferdinand Alexander Marcos, 2nd District Rep. Angelo Marcos Barba and the Ilocos Norte government.
For the convenience of applicants from nearby provinces, the office of Rep. Marcos even offered free accommodation.
“I am grateful for this opportunity to apply again for work abroad,” 41-year-old Roida Cabiera, a nanny for 13 years in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, said.
The former overseas Filipino worker (OFW) said the gross monthly salary of 27,470 Taiwan dollar (about PHP48,000) for factory workers is tempting.
No placement fees for prospective hires will be collected, assured MECO.
MECO Chair Silvestre Bello III, who attended the event, said at least 8,000 jobs in the manufacturing sector are available.
“Filipinos are preferred by Taiwan employers as they are known to be hardworking and trustworthy,” Bello said.
A similar jobs fair was simultaneously held at the Provincial Farmers Livelihood Development Center in Vigan City, Ilocos Sur.
The Taiwan job fair ushered in the celebrations for the 107th birthday anniversary on Sept. 11 of the late President Ferdinand E. Marcos Sr., who hailed from Batac, Ilocos Note.
Malacanang has declared Sept. 11 as a special non-working holiday in the province.
Other activities for Marcos Sr. Day are literary and art competition for students at Robinsons Place Ilocos in San Nicolas town, fire tree-planting along the Sirib Mile in this city, lecture forum, concert, cooking competition, medical mission, and distribution of ambulance and agriculture equipment.
A nationwide distribution of comprehensive government assistance will also be conducted. (PNA)
