Some 5,700 job vacancies and PHP4.6 million in Tulong Panghanapbuhay sa Ating Disadvantaged/Displaced Workers or TUPAD payouts were some of the benefits that Negros Oriental residents enjoyed as the province marked Labor Day on Wednesday.
Vivencio Lagahid, Department of Labor and Employment-Negros Oriental Field Office (DOLE-NOFO) officer-in-charge, said this year’s Labor Day celebration had been expanded with the help of provincial government through its Public Employment Service Office (PESO).
“The (partnership) with the provincial government is truly an advantage for us to be able to carry out this job fair,” Lagahid said in an interview.
He said more activities were lined up in this year’s Labor Day at the Macias Sports Center in this provincial capital compared to last year when it was solely organized by DOLE.
A motorcade around the city streets opened the job fair, which also included a one-stop shop for various government agencies and the Kadiwa ng Pangulo Para sa Manggagawa.
Through the provincial PESO, Lagahid said 22 local employers and six overseas recruitment agencies participated in the Labor Day job fair, providing at least 5,700 vacancies in local and overseas jobs.
Meanwhile, DOLE also distributed some PHP4.6 million in cash grants to 1,000 TUPAD beneficiaries, at PHP4,600 each.
Four associations of farmers and fisherfolk, a group of former rebels, and two persons with disabilities also received cash grants amounting to some PHP4 million under the DOLE Integrated Livelihood Program.
Meanwhile, the Kadiwa stalls also featured fresh farm produce, such as fruits and vegetables and local products.
Kadiwa is a marketing strategy that aims to provide a venue for farmers and producers to market their products without middlemen intervention, while allowing consumers to buy them at affordable prices. (Judy F. Partlow/PNA)
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Photo Caption: Thousands of local and overseas job vacancies were up for grabs during the Labor Day festivities. The DOLE also distributed millions of pesos in cash assistance to TUPAD and DILIP beneficiaries. (Photo by Judy Flores Partlow)
