Of 360,000 jobs offered at DOLE job fairs, only 74,000 are in PHL

The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) on Monday said some 360,000 jobs are available at government-backed job fairs on Labor Day, May 1, and more than a few may be filled on the spot with applicants. Despite government efforts to generate domestic jobs, most of the openings are still overseas. "We are promoting local employment over overseas jobs because of the social costs of working abroad," Nicon Fameronag, labor department spokesman, told GMA News. He described social costs as the effects on families and children of absentee parents. Yet, according to the DOLE web site, the vast majority of jobs on offer at 51 DOLE-sponsored job fairs on May 1 are still overseas. The DOLE said it knows of at least 360,777 job vacancies offered by 1,706 employers across the country's 16 regions.   Of these, 74,352 vacancies are offered by 1,085 local employers, while the rest are overseas vacancies.    “Selecting job applicants can be a tough challenge for employers. They may need more time to review job applications, to go over details of their credentials, and to interview candidates,” Labor Secretary Rosalinda Baldoz said in a statement. Baldoz assured, employers will process their applications even after May 1.   Baldoz added some employers may be more careful, which in the long run may eventually provide "decent and productive work for all.”   The DOLE will monitor the employers in their processing of applications, she added.   “So, my advice to applicants is to be optimistic and be a little patient because there will be enough job vacancies and livelihood opportunities for everyone at the job fairs. The processing and hiring by the employers will continue after the job fair, and the DOLE will monitor that,” she said.   She also assured jobseekers that since they are required to register for the job fair, they can be sure their job applications will not go to waste.   She said their applications will be closely monitored by the Bureau of Local Employment (BLE), through its jobs-matching facility, the Phil-Job.Net.   Job vacancies The job vacancies per region include:

• NCR: 97,888
• Cordillera: 18,293
• Region I: 8,940
• Region II: 2,276
• Region III: 10,000
• Region IV-A: 11,055
• Region IV-B: 80
• Region V: 3,991
• Region VI: 5,371
• Region VII: 122,756
• Region VIII: 396
• Region IX: 15,407
• Region X: 4,500
• Region XI: 21,057
• Region XII: 13,767
• CARAGA: 25,000.

  The number of participating employers per region is as follows:

• NCR: 219
• CAR: 89
• Region I: 54
• Region II: 14
• Region III: 360
• Region IV-A: 102
• Region IV-B: 20
• Region V: 86
• Region VI: 107
• Region VII: 80
• Region VIII: 23
• Region IX: 78
• Region X: 104
• Region XI: 217
• Region XII: 52
• CARAGA: 39.

  'Key employment generators'   Baldoz said some “key employment generators” include human resources; marketing/trading; Business Process Outsourcing; food Industry; retail; health and wellness; tourism; information technology; automotive; and transport and logistics.   She said samples of the job vacancies include: Waiter, Waitress, Receptionist, Cashier, Dishwasher, Kitchen Helper, Baker, Cook, Food Attendant, Promodizer, Technician, Bartender, Building Maintenance, Butcher, Company Driver, Delivery Rider, Front Desk Officer, IT Personnel, Logistics Assistant, Marketing Assistant, Merchandizer, Pastry Chef, Recruitment Assistant, Sales Engineer, Service Crew, Stockman, Mechanic, HR Assistant, Secretary, Encoder, Warehouse Checker, Sales Staff, Office Clerk, Production Worker, Inventory Clerk, Sales Consultant, Graphic Artist, Brand Specialist, Utility Worker, and Counter Bagger.   Job openings are also available for Customer Service Representative, Motorized Sales Agent, Industrial Engineer, Training Assistant, Accounting Assistant, Auditors, Audit Supervisors, Administrative Assistant, Internal Auditors, and Project Manager.   Employers' options   Meanwhile, the DOLE’s BLE told employers at a forum in Quezon City that employers who have not successfully filled-up their job vacancies may look into the database of the Phil-Job.Net.   They may also call up applicants who may not be hired during the one-day event.   “Jobseekers must not easily get discouraged shall they not be hired on May 1. The BLE, through its enhanced Phil-Job.Net, will now be able to observe the status of each registered applicants. Employers may refer to the system for filling-up their existing job vacancies and, if necessary, we will make the referrals,” Baldoz said. - VVP/HS, GMA News