Leyte: Nearly 300 graduating senior high school students in the Leyte provinces were hired on the spot during job fairs intended for Grade 12 completers, the regional office of the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) said Friday.
According to Philippines News Agency, the job fairs were conducted in partnership with the Department of Education (DepEd) as part of the Bagong Pilipinas Serbisyo Fair 2026, held in Baybay City and Hinunangan, Southern Leyte on March 25. The event attracted nearly 700 applicants, marking it as a significant opportunity for young job seekers.
"This is the first specialized job fair for SHS (senior high school) learners, aimed to prepare job seekers by providing free pre-employment documents, skills support, and direct access to hiring institutions," stated DOLE 8 (Eastern Visayas) information officer Norma Mae Costimiano.
In Hinunangan, more than 400 job seekers registered, with at least 20 individuals being hired on the spot, primarily in local employment sectors such as sales and retail, according to Costimiano. Meanwhile, in Baybay City, approximately 277 senior high school students participated, achieving a 100 percent hired-on-the-spot placement rate.
The job fair featured on-the-spot interviews, r©sum© assistance, and employment facilitation, with participation from agencies such as the Philippine National Police, National Bureau of Investigation, and Philippine Statistics Authority, as well as private firms and local businesses.
The DOLE and DepEd are set to hold similar job fairs in Samar and Biliran provinces within the year, offering further opportunities for graduating students to earn for their families.
