SULU – Thousands of job seekers turned out on Wednesday in the southern Philippine province of Sulu where a three-day job fair was launched by the local government.
Sulu Gov. Toto Tan said the job fair was the first in the province and that at least two dozen private recruitment agencies, companies and government agencies have signed up for the event. He said the venue of the event, the Capitol Gymnasium, was packed with locals seeking employment abroad and in the country.
The “1st Sulu Job and Career Fair 2014,”which coincided with the Foundation of Local Governance and Public Administration in the province, is sponsored by the Sulu government is participated by Philippine Overseas Employment Agency, Overseas Workers’ Welfare Administration, Department of Labor and Employment, National Commission on Muslim Filipinos, National Statistics Office, Department of Foreign Affairs, Social Security System, Philippine Health Insurance Corporation, Azizzah International Manpower Services, Kenmore International Placement Agency, International Manpower Agency, United Placement Philippines, Inc., LBS Recruitment Agency, Zontar Manpower, Jenerick Recruitment Agency, SMC Manpower Agency, FilGulf Manpower Agency, MMML Recruitment Agency, among others.
Gov. Tan, accompanied by Vice Governor Sakur Tan, also encouraged locals to excel in their job if they got hired and work hard so they can help their families and save money for their future.
“We are so happy with the outcome of the first-ever job fair in Sulu and with the participation of so many recruitment agencies and government agencies hiring our professionals is an indication that we are ready to compete not only locally, but globally as well. Our people are hard-working and honest,” Vice Gov. Tan told the regional newspaper Mindanao Examiner.
In his speech, Gov. Tan admitted that Sulu, one of five provinces under the Muslim autonomous region, is among the poorest region in the Philippines based on the poverty rate as compared to other areas in the country. Poverty, he said, is one of the main reasons for mass action, including rebellion and other upheavals.
“Ang kumakalam na sikmura ay hindi po nakakaunawa ng katahimikan. Peace is meaningless to empty stomachs. Ang kakulangan ng mga oportunidad na makatagpo ng marangal na trabaho upang maibsan ang kahirapan ng marami sa ating mga mamamayan ay nagtutulak sa iba na gumawa ng mga paraan, kahit labag sa batas, upang masustentuhan lamang ang pangangailangan ng kanilang mga pamilya at mga mahal sa buhay,” he said.
“Bagama’t ang Sulu ay malayo mula sa sentro ng pamahalaang pambansa, patuloy po ang aming pagsisikap na mapalapit ang serbisyong-bayan sa mga mamamayan. Kung maari lamang, dadalhin natin sa mga tao ang iba’t-ibang mga ahensya at departamento ng pamahalaan nang sa ganun hindi na kailangan pa nilang tumawid ng karagatan upang ma-ayos ang mga papeles na kailangan nila sa paghahanap ng mapapasukan at mapagkakitaan. In our small way and with the resources available at our disposal, we will continue to assist and support any effort leading to the economic advancement of the people,” he added.
Gov. Tan also brought to Sulu the review and licensure examination for teachers and other professionals, and one-stop processing of passport and clearances from various government agencies, among others, so those applying for jobs would not need to travel to Zamboanga or Pagadian cities, or as far as Manila to avail of these services. (Franzie Sali)
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