BY: ANGELICA ARQUERO

For many jobseekers, this year’s Labor Day offered more than just a holiday, it opened the door to new opportunities.

Thousands flocked to the job fair organized by the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), held across multiple venues in the city.

Among the applicants was Kleton Lomabong, who was born with an orthopedic disability.

Determined to support his mother, a street sweeper who raised five children, he joined the job fair hoping to find employment.

“I love her so much for everything she’s done for me,” Kleton said emotionally. “That’s why I really want to find a job so she can stop working. It’s my turn now.”

Despite graduating last June, he admitted to being nervous. “It’s tough. I kept overthinking, will any company even hire me because of my disability?” he shared.

Another applicant, Mark Vistro from Pangasinan, faced a different challenge, job hunting without a college degree. “It’s really hard when you haven’t finished school. Most agencies require you to be a graduate,” he said.

For both men and many others, the job fair was a lifeline. Around 60 employers opened more than 6,000 job vacancies—2,000 local and 4,000 overseas.

“This event is a big help,” Mark added. “It feels like the start of a new journey.”

DOLE-CAR Regional Director Imelda Romanillos emphasized that this is part of their ongoing effort to reduce unemployment in the region. “Just because the unemployment rate has dropped doesn’t mean we can relax. We want to keep raising employment, so we continue to work with employers and partners,” she said.

Romanillos also shared that 13 applicants were hired on the spot.

She assured the public that DOLE will continue organizing job fairs, even beyond special occasions.

“This isn’t just about jobs, it’s about giving Filipinos a better life,” she said.