Iloilo:A one-day mega job fair in Iloilo offered 8,740 local and overseas employment opportunities to job seekers on Wednesday.

According to Philippines News Agency, the 'Tara, Trabaho G! Mega Job Fair' was organized by the Office of Senate President Sherwin Gatchalian in partnership with the Department of Labor and Employment and the Iloilo Provincial Public Employment Service Office. The initiative aims to help address unemployment in the country, as stated by Paiqah Gaid, head of constituent services at Gatchalian's office.

The job fair was also held simultaneously in Tuguegarao City in Cagayan to expand access to decent and dignified employment. Gaid mentioned that this initiative is a continuous program planned until the end of the year.

During the opening ceremony, Iloilo Provincial Administrator Raul Banias highlighted the provincial government's investment in the Filipino youth, emphasizing efforts to address stunting and wasting among children under 5 and learning poverty. He encouraged job seekers by reminding them of their fortunate position to reach this stage of employment opportunities.

Cynthia Dario, head of the Iloilo Provincial Public Employment Service Office, reported that the province's unemployment rate stood at 3.49 percent, while its employment rate was 96.51 percent. As of 1 p.m. on Wednesday, 28 applicants had been hired on the spot.

The job fair featured 30 employers offering 3,953 local job openings and 4,787 overseas employment opportunities.