Hundreds of jobseekers flocked to Robinsons Ilocos mall on Saturday for the World Café of Opportunities, a job fair and government service caravan organized by the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) and the Ilocos Norte provincial government.
The event coincided with the “Handog ng Pangulo: Serbisyong Sapat para sa Lahat” in celebration of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s 68th birthday. A total of 2,891 vacancies were offered by 44 local employers, eight national agencies, and five overseas agencies.
“This event was more than just a dialogue — it was a bridge. A bridge that connected our workforce with opportunities, our institutions with innovation, and our communities with a future of inclusive growth,” TESDA-Ilocos Norte Director Socorro Galanto said, urging TVET graduates to continue upskilling to boost employability.
Organizers targeted hire-on-the-spot placements for 15 percent of applicants, or 45 out of 300 registrants. By mid-afternoon, 24 applicants had already been hired.
Governor Cecilia Araneta-Marcos also encouraged jobseekers to explore opportunities in government, noting that 174 vacancies were available. “We are doing everything possible so that all of you will have a job,” she said.
