Davao City – Mr. Rolando Roncales, 37 years old, married with 3 children, was a contractual employee at the HOLCIM Philippines, Inc. Davao plant.  His employment contract expired and he was out of work for 6 months.  He had difficulty in getting another job, but did not lose hope.  His determination paid off as he was hired by France Asia International, Inc. to work as a welder in the State of Qatar.

“Nalipay kaayo ko kay wala ko nalisdan sa pag pangita ug trabaho ug gi swerte nga nadawat dayon sa akong gi aplayan.  Dako akong pasalamat sa DOLE ug sa ilang programa nga job fair kay naghatag kini ug paglaum sa ako ug sa uban pa nga mga aplikante nga  makakita ug trabaho” (I am very glad to have not experienced any difficulty as I was lucky enough to have been immediately hired.   I am thankful to the DOLE for the job fair program as it gave me and the other applicants hope and opportunity to find work), Roncales said.

Roncales was one of the hundreds of applicants who were hired during the job fairs conducted by the Department of Labor and Employment in Davao Region in observance of the 111th Labor Day.

In his report to DOLE Secretary Rosalinda Dimapilis-Baldoz, DOLE XI Director Joffrey M. Suyao said that 10,763 applicants joined the May 1-2, 2013 job fairs at the SM City Davao, Gaisano Mall of Davao and Gaisano Mall of Tagum.  About 998 applicants were hired during the 2-day activity.  The number of hired applicants increased to 1,274 as employers have reported their hiring activities after the job fairs.

“We are hopeful that the participating employers will continue to submit their post-labor day placement reports as the DOLE continue to monitor the status of about 6,316 applicants who were scheduled by the employers for further interviews, written or practical tests or submission of pre-employment documents,” Suyao said.

The next major job fair in Davao Region is scheduled on June 12, 2013 in celebration of the Araw ng Kalayaan.

END. (with reporting by Jocelyn C. Flordelis)