TACLOBAN CITY – A total of 277 senior high school students secured immediate employment during back-to-back Bagong Pilipinas Serbisyo Caravan job fairs held in Baybay City and Hinunangan, Southern Leyte, last week, highlighting expanding opportunities for young jobseekers in Eastern Visayas.
Organized by the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) Regional Office 8 in partnership with the Department of Education (DepEd), the job fairs targeted graduating SHS students, Alternative Learning System learners, and out-of-school youth, aiming to provide on-the-spot hiring and career guidance.
In Baybay City, all 257 participating jobseekers—mostly SHS students—were hired on the spot, achieving a 100-percent placement rate. Meanwhile, in Hinunangan, 20 out of 160 applicants secured jobs during the fair.
DOLE Regional Director Dax Villaruel said the initiative reflects the government’s commitment to bringing employment services closer to young Filipinos preparing to enter the workforce.
Among the newly hired was Ashley Dapiton, a Grade 12 tourism student from Baybay City Senior High School, who said the job fair allowed her to earn while saving for future education and gaining work experience.
The events also provided participants with career guidance and livelihood opportunities, aligning with the Bagong Pilipinas initiative to deliver inclusive government services, empower youth through employment, and develop their skills for long-term success.
(ROEL T. AMAZONA)
