BPOs join Cebu’s ‘Kadaugan’ job fair
CEBU, PHILIPPINES — The 10th annual Kadaugan sa Mactan (Victory of Mactan) job fair in Cebu has opened its doors to over 8,000 job opportunities both locally and internationally.
The job fair featured a diverse range of participants, including 28 local and multinational companies. Notably, the business process outsourcing (BPO) sector was well-represented, reflecting the industry’s robust presence in the region.
This participation underscores the growing importance of BPOs in the local economy, particularly in providing employment opportunities to the community.
Employment opportunities and support services
According to Kim Francisco, manager of the Lapu-Lapu City Public Employment Services Office (PESO), the fair aimed to fill 4,706 local positions and 3,852 overseas roles.
Francisco highlighted the fair’s inclusivity, noting, “The job fair is open to all, including those coming from outside Lapu-Lapu City.”
The event also catered to displaced workers with special lanes to streamline their job-hunting process. Additionally, ten licensed overseas recruitment agencies accredited by the Department of Migrant Workers participated, offering a wide range of opportunities for aspiring overseas Filipino workers.
Streamlined application processes and on-the-spot hires
The job fair not only connected job seekers with potential employers but also simplified the application process. The Philippine National Police provided a booth for obtaining police clearances, and the Social Security System was available to address queries about contributions and memberships.
Francisco shared an early success from the event: “Just an hour after the job fair opened, 13 applicants were hired on the spot.”
Employment rates in the Philippines
The job fair comes at a time when the Philippines is experiencing significant shifts in employment rates. Recent data indicates an employment rate of 96.5% as of February 2024, with the unemployment rate decreasing to 3.5%.
The Philippine Bureau of Local Employment (BLE) also revealed that more than 5,000 call center agent jobs are open in the country.
