Other than the conduct of the first Trabaho, Negosyo, Kabuhayan (TNK) Fairs, Davao Region will also be hosting the 2017 National Labor Day Celebration.

Dubbed with the theme “Matatag na Kabuhayan at Trabaho Tungo sa Progresibong Pagbabago,” activities set in line with the celebration include the simultaneous conduct of the Job Fair and the Negosyo and Kabuhayan Fair in the activity area and the fourth floor of Gaisano Mall of Davao on May 1. This will then be followed by a Labor Assembly and Consultation event in the afternoon at the People’s Park which will be attended by President Rodrigo R. Duterte and Labor Secretary Silvestre H. Bello III. This major event will also be graced by dignitaries from different government agencies and local government units.

The Labor Assembly and Consultation named as “Si Presidente at ang Manggagawa” event targets to gather participants from the different sectors namely: Public Sector Unions, Labor Unions, Overseas Filipino Workers, and Informal Sector.

Job fair activity will run until May 2, 2017 at Gaisano Mall of Davao Activity Area. Pre-registration and mini-job fair will run from April 26 to April 30 with 5 local and 5 overseas employer participants per day.

TNK is a partnership agreement between DOLE and the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI). Both have recently inked a blue print for Decent Employment and Entrepreneurship for 2017-2022 last December 2016. The said agreement between DOLE and DTI aims to achieve full employment by creating about 7.5 million jobs nationwide in main Key Employment Generating Sectors (KEGS) which include manufacturing, food processing, construction, tourism, Information Technology-Business Process Management, transportation and logistics, and retail trade.

As of April 25, 2017, DOLE XI has already solicited 10,989 job vacancies for both local and overseas while 10 different livelihood associations have been invited to showcase their products during the Livelihood Fair which will consist of a product bazaar. DTI is also set to conduct trainings on “How to start a business” and “Franchising” during the TNK fairs.

Moreover, after the May 1 Labor Day Celebration, Davao Region will also host the National Informal Sector Day on May 6. TNK Job and Business Fairs will also be held on June 12 in line with the Independence Day Celebration.

Kriztja Marae G. Labrador/LCO-DOLEXI