BY ANGELICA ARQUERO
In celebration of the 123rd Labor Day, the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) will launch a two-day job fair aimed at helping first-time job seekers find employment opportunities.
Nicole Biduya, a graduating student taking up a degree in Communication, shared her worries about the job market after college.
“As a graduating student, it’s really pressuring. Right after graduation, you’re expected to find a job. I’m worried I might not find something aligned with my course,” she said.
If she fails to land a job related to her field, Nicole is willing to explore other options available in Baguio City.
“If there’s an opportunity here in Baguio, I would prefer to work here,” she added.
Nicole’s concerns mirror those of thousands of other fresh graduates hoping to secure employment.
That’s why DOLE-CAR, in coordination with various government agencies, is organizing a job fair on May 1 at the Baguio Convention Center and SM City Baguio.
The event will offer thousands of job vacancies from 33 local and 10 overseas employers.
Emeritto Narag, chief of the Technical Services Support Division of DOLE-CAR, said the agency is focusing on profiling applicants to better connect them with available jobs.
“We look at where the applicants are coming from, what course they finished, and if this is their first job. That helps us identify what kind of work they’re looking for,” he explained.
Narag also noted that applicants who express interest in training will be referred to appropriate programs.
“If they indicate they want to undergo training, we can refer them because their intent is already documented,” he said.
Aside from job opportunities, several government agencies will also offer free processing of essential employment documents for first-time job seekers.
“For those applying for the first time, documents like clearances and licenses—NBI, police clearance, and such—are free of charge. They just have to show proof that it’s their first time applying for a job,” said DOLE-CAR Regional Director Imelda Romanillos.
Recent data from DOLE shows an improvement in employment in the Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR).
The employment rate rose from 96.6% in January 2024 to 97.1% in January 2025, while the unemployment rate dropped from 3.4% to 2.9%.
DOLE has also expanded its programs to support young job seekers, including job street initiatives and a special employment program for students during school breaks.
“We now have job street programs that can help our youth, and students can already start working this summer under our special employment program,” Romanillos added.
