First-time job seekers hired on the spot at Kalayaan job fair

JOBSEEKERS. Applicants line up for job interviews at the SM City Laoag on Friday (June 12, 2026). At least 41 fresh graduate applicants were hired on the spot. (Lei Adriano)

LAOAG CITY—Fresh graduates from public and private schools in this city and neighboring provinces were hired on the spot on June 12, 2026 during the 128^th Independence Day “Trabaho Agad" job fair at SM City here.

With 25 local and two overseas employers participating, the job fair spearheaded by the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) attracted hundreds of applicants for 1,929 openings, most of whom are fresh graduates of tertiary education.

Of nearly 500 job seekers, 41 were hired on the spot.

Among the successful applicants was 22-year-old Princess Margareth Alipio, a fresh graduate of Bachelor of Science in Hospitality Management from Divine Word College here. She landed a service crew position at a fast-food chain.

“I am so happy and grateful because I am a first-time jobseeker and I was hired on the spot,” Alipio said in an interview.

Meanwhile, after a month of job hunting, Zionah Estabilio also shared her excitement about starting a job.

“I hope my family will be happy when I go home later and tell them I was hired on the spot,” she said.

For those looking for jobs, Estabilio said there are many opportunities available at the job fair.

Ruyzdaelle Agcaoil, 20, from Barangay Margaay, Vintar, Ilocos Norte, also beamed after securing a job on the spot as a service crew member.

“Thank you so much to DOLE and the other government agencies and employers supporting this because it is a big help for us who are seeking jobs,” Agcaoil, a senior high school graduate, said.

The job fair also provided a convenient one-stop shop for job seekers to process pre-employment documents.

Eleven other government agencies, including the Department of Social Welfare and Development, Technical Education and Skills Development Authority, National Bureau of Investigation, Social Security System, Pag-IBIG Fund, and the Civil Service Commission, were also present to offer their services.

In his short speech at the opening program, Ilocos Norte 2nd District Rep. Angelo Marcos Barba lauded SM and the participating government agencies and companies for their commitment to bringing real opportunities for Filipinos.

“May this day inspire us to keep building a stronger Ilocos Norte and a stronger Philippines. One job, one family, and one opportunity at a time,” he said.

In addition to helping job seekers secure productive and sustainable employment, Janelyn Martin, head of DOLE-Ilocos Norte, along with partner agencies, monitors placements to ensure new hires can promptly apply for necessary identification cards, insurance and other requirements. (Leilanie G. Adriano)