In a significant effort to enhance employment opportunities, the Department of Labor and Employment in Bicol (DOLE-5) organized a one-day job fair at Ayala Malls in Legazpi City on January 31, 2025. The event showcased over 3,000 job vacancies, drawing a large crowd of hopeful job seekers eager to connect with potential employers. DOLE-5 Director Imelda Gatinao emphasized the job fair’s goal to directly link graduates with employers, thereby increasing their employment prospects. She highlighted the collaborative efforts with other agencies to foster job opportunities, particularly for first-time job seekers in the region, which is home to numerous educational institutions. Gatinao also pointed out the economic benefits of such events, noting that employed individuals contribute to the local economy by purchasing goods and supporting local businesses. While the exact number of on-the-spot hires was not immediately available, Gatinao stressed the importance of these job fairs in matching applicants with suitable positions, thereby reducing the time and cost associated with job hunting. She further noted that such initiatives help retain talent and strengthen local industries, preventing migration. Alongside the job fair, DOLE distributed livelihood kits worth PHP39,735 to beneficiaries of the DOLE Integrated Livelihood Program (DILP) and conducted a payout of PHP21.7 million to 5,511 beneficiaries under the Tulong Panghanapbuhay sa Ating Disadvantaged (TUPAD) program.
