Key government agencies and career advocates on Friday signed a memorandum of agreement aimed at strengthening coordination among the education, training, and employment sectors to better address the persistent challenge of skills mismatch.

The signing of the agreement for career development and employment facilitation partners in Western Visayas forms part of the Regional Career Development Support Program (CDSP) working group.

At the heart of this agreement is the ‘CARE’ Synergy Framework, which provides a seamless pathway from career guidance to employment.

CARE stands for: Career Guidance and Assessment, where individuals are guided in understanding their skills, interests, and career options; Access to Training or Job Matching, where they are connected to the right education, training, or opportunities; Referral for Employment or Livelihood, where job-ready individuals are matched with employers or livelihood options; and Employment, where hiring, workforce development, and continuous skills upgrading take place.

Leading the signing were Labor and Employment Regional Director for Western Visayas lawyer Sixto Rodriguez Jr.; Science and Technology Regional Director Rowen Gelonga; Higher Education Regional Director Raul Muyong; and Professional Regulation Commission Regional Office 6 represented by Director Romel Balisang.

Also joining the signing were lawyer Jessical Sapalo, for the regional director of the Department of Education; Technical Education and Skills Development Authority represented by Iloilo acting director Porterio Celestial; CHED-UniFAST Regional Office 6 Chief Education Program Specialist Danabeth Narzoles; Federation of PESO Managers of the Philippines – Western Visayas, represented by its Secretary, Ronell Conadera; Guidance Counselors’ Network – Region 6 president Ma. Teresa Tunguia, and Human Resource Network-Region 6 president Cristy Cangrejo.

The Labor Day celebration also offered more than 7,000 job vacancies, with 49 hired on the spot and 67 near hires as of 1 p.m. on Friday.

Rodriguez said the job fair reflects their strong collaboration with various government agencies and partners to bring opportunities closer to people.

“Our goal is not only to provide jobs but to open doors toward sustainable livelihoods and long-term growth. Amid the continuing changes in the world of work – from digital transformation to the emergence of new industries – our responsibility is to ensure that no one is left behind. Every Filipino has a place in our economy, and every aspiration deserves a chance to be realized,” he said in his message.

Fresh graduates Ailyn Mae Talaman from Tigbauan town and Jeanelle Kyle Borres from Iloilo City were very grateful and happy as they were the first applicants to be hired on the spot at the start of the job fair.

“I am happy that I was hired on the spot. I hope the government continues to provide jobs to help more Filipinos,” Borres, who was hired as customer service staff member of the Land Bank of the Philippines, said. (PNA)