The Provincial Government of Camarines Sur, through the CamSur Public Employment Service Office (PESO), brought 11 local companies and 8 overseas agencies to the municipality of Libmanan for a two-day Trabaho Negosyo Kabuhayan: Job and Business Fair at Libmanan Sports Complex on July 19-20, 2022.
“Makakatabang po ining job fair na iniyo para sa mga arog ko na naghahanap trabaho para makatabang sa samuyang pamilya. Aram ta man po na nasa pandemic pa kita kaya kaipuhan tang maray nin trabaho tanganing masustenaran an satuyang mga pangangaipo,” related Edmark Ripo of Bahay, Libmanan.
Ripo is a 24-year-old fresh graduate from the Governor Mariano Villafuerte Community College (GMVCC)-Libmanan. After fulfilling his college degree, he aspires to help and give back to his family. “An source of income lang kan pamilya mi iyo an pag extra-extra ni papa kaya importantehon na maray ining job fair para makahanap akong trabaho. An pamilya ko an sakuyang inspirasyon sa paghanap trabaho tanganing makatabang naman ako sainda,” he shared.
Ripo applied to many local companies, hoping that the more companies he applies for, the more chances he has of getting hired.
With the 2,295 job vacancies— 850 local and 1,445 overseas—the job fair indeed brought many great opportunities to the jobseekers.
Another hopeful applicant who took the chance to land a job is 27-year-old Mark Anthony Comia of Caima, Libmanan.
When the pandemic hit the Philippines and community quarantine was imposed in 2020, many Filipinos were displaced and lost their jobs. One of these unfortunate workers was Comia. “Dahil sa dumaan na pandemic, nabakante ako ng ilang taon. Kaya pumunta ako sa job fair na ito para mag-apply kasi sa hirap na rin talaga ng buhay ngayon,” said Comia.
Comia worked in Cavite. However, when he heard the news of the impending lockdown because of the pandemic, he was forced to resign from his post and return to Camarines Sur. For 2 years, he struggled with the effects of the pandemic and of being unemployed, which is why the job fair was a great opportunity for him.
“Para sa akin, napakagaan lang talaga na nagkaroon sila ng programang ganito. Yung ilang taong nabakante kagaya ko at hindi pa makahanap ng trabaho, pagkakataon na nila ito. Dahil sa pandemic na dumaan, maraming tao ang nawalan ng trabaho, dahil po dito sa job fair na ito halos lahat magkakaroon ulit ng panibagong pag-asa,” he added. Comia applied as a kitchen service crew in various overseas agencies hoping that his years of struggle with unemployment will finally be over.
The Job Fair Activity aims to bring job opportunities closer to the people of Camarines Sur. By bringing together the local companies and overseas agencies in one venue, the job applicants can hunt as many jobs as they want in a day with very little expenses for transport.
The two-day activity was flocked by 386 hopeful and eager jobseekers. Of these, 13 were hired on the spot while 343 qualified for a final exam and interview.
One of the lucky hired-on-the-spot applicants is the 36-year-old Cristy Romero Aco of Udoc, Libmanan. “Naoogma akong maray. Dakulaon pong tabang ini samuya kaya grabe an pasasalamat ko sa programang ini,” appreciated Aco.
As a mother of two, Aco is keen on finding a job in the activity. She applied to both local companies and overseas agencies, with the future of her children in mind. “Inspirasyon ko digdi an sakuyang pamilya, an sakuyang mga aki para matabangan sinda na dai na magtios pa. Maitao ko sainda an magayon na pamumuhay. Makatapos sinda sa pag eskwela para pag-abot nin panahon magkaigwa sinda nin trabaho asin dai na sinda magtios pa,” she expressed.
With her enthusiasm and confidence, Aco was hired on the spot by a local company and also qualified for final interview in an overseas agency. She was overjoyed with the result of her job hunting because she now has the chance of alleviating her family’s lives.
Prior to the pandemic, the Provincial Government of Camarines Sur has always been consistent in providing its people with various programs and projects in employment, livelihood, and businesses that will help them and their families. With the new leadership of Governor Luigi Villafuerte, more of these initiatives will expand and be extended to all the Camarinenses. Ripo, Comia, and Aco will only be among the many people to benefit from this program and have a chance at better lives.
