Butuan City: Coinciding with the nation's 123rd Labor Day celebration, the Department of Labor and Employment - Caraga (DOLE-13) hosted a job fair in this city, presenting more than 5,000 job vacancies to jobseekers from the Caraga Region. The event resulted in the on-the-spot hiring of 271 jobseekers by various employers present at the venue.

According to Philippines News Agency, Mechelle Bengzon from Barangay Bugsukan in Butuan City was among the first to be hired, securing a teaching position at a Technological Training Center within the city. Bengzon expressed her gratitude to DOLE-13 for organizing the event, which provided her with the opportunity to find meaningful employment.

The job fair was officially opened by DOLE-13 Director Jason Balais at Robinsons Place Butuan. Balais highlighted this year's Labor Day theme: 'Manggagawang Pilipino, Kaagapay sa Pag-unlad, Sandigan ng Mas Matatag na Bagong Pilipinas' (Filipino Workers, Partners in Progress, Foundation of a Stronger New Philippines). He also expressed appreciation for the numerous government line agencies that set up booths at the venue, offering a range of free services to attendees.

The event saw participation from 51 employers from Butuan City and nearby provinces. Notably, the Department of Tourism-13 provided a one-stop shop service, operating an accreditation help desk specifically for tourism stakeholders in the region.

In a related Labor Day activity, a Kadiwa ng Pangulo (President's Kadiwa) was launched in Cabadbaran City. The initiative offered a platform for 10 groups of local farmers and fisherfolk, beneficiaries of the DOLE Integrated Livelihood Program, to sell their fresh produce directly to consumers at affordable prices.