CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY (PIA)--To provide its new graduates and alumni an opportunity to be accommodated by various employers as first-time job seekers, the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE)-10 Cagayan de Oro City Field Office (CDOFO) and Job Placement Bureau-Public Employment Service Office (JPB-PESO), in collaboration with PHINMA-COC, conducted a one-day job fair, March 21, at the PHINMA COC auditorium, here.

There were 1,123 job vacancies at 36 participating local companies, and firms made them available to 203 applicants.

A total of 18 job seekers were considered hired on the spot (HOTS), while 79 were considered near-hires who were scheduled for a final interview and completion of requirements.

Alyssa Jane Galon, 22, who is a working student from the Municipality of Binuangan, Misamis Oriental, went her way to the city in search of making her dreams a reality to support her family.

For six years, she worked for an employer who has been supportive of her education so long as she is able to balance her responsibilities as a housekeeper.

She is now in her 4th year as a Management Accounting student, and she believes that opportunities are within reach, especially now that she is hired to be part of the accounting staff under Savemore Incorporated. She is very grateful for the chance to get employed and hopes that this will open more doors for her in the future.

Nikki Jane Balat, 22, a beneficiary of the Special Program for the Employment of Students (SPES), was assigned financial and marketing work under the LGU. Currently, she is a Hawak Kamay Scholar under PHINMA COC.

She was positively overwhelmed that she was hired and hopes that her prior experiences will help her as one of the audit staff for Oro Gadgets, Inc.

PHINMA-COC alumnus Rammel Abarquez, 25, is a BSBA Marketing Management graduate who has a passion for excellent customer service. Now that he was hired by Triple E Manpower Services as a Customer and Product Consultant for WILCON, he looks forward to doing his best to serve the customers and clients with quality customer service.

As agencies and partners in curbing unemployment and underemployment, DOLE-10 CDOFO under the leadership of Chief Toledo believes that progress best starts from the young minds of the Kagay-anon students—giving them not only the knowledge and skills through education to equip them but also the best chances and environment to practice what they know and reap the benefits of meaningful employment. (DOLE-10/PIA-10)