200 job seekers hired on the spot in QC job fair

At least 700 job seekers trooped to a mall in Quezon City Friday in hopes to secure work in a job fair organized by Private Sector Advisory Council Jobs Committee (PSAC), Department of Labor and Employment, and the local government unit.

At least 200 applicants were hired on the spot during the mega job fair at SM City North EDSA Annex Atrium.

The event featured the “hired on the spot” or HOTS bell that rings every time an applicant is employed by a company during the fair.

Present in the event were DOLE Undersecretary Benjo Benavidez, QC Rep. Arjo Atayde, Olivier Belmonte of the Quezon City Council, and SM officials.

Benavidez stressed the importance of the government and the private sector working together to generate employment.

Data from the Philippines Statistics Authority (PSA) showed the country’s unemployment rate stands at 3.1% as of December 2023.

The weekly job fairs staged in various malls nationwide will continue until the end of the year in the cooperation with DOLE, PSAC Jobs Sector, local government units, Employers Confederation of the Philippines, Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Philippine Exporters Confederation, and other industry groups.

President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. established the PSAC to strengthen and create new synergies between the private and public sectors.

SM Retail Inc. chairperson Teresita Sy-Coson leads the job-matching efforts of the PSAC jobs committee. They partnered with JobStreet for digital job matching to provide more opportunities for employers and job seekers.

“SM has been a steadfast partner in facilitating job matching, and this year, we are committed to further contribute to job generation by extending the reach of our job fairs to benefit more individuals across the country,” SM Supermalls Assistant Vice President Royston Cabunag said. —Sundy Locus/AOL, GMA Integrated News