By Rjay Zuriaga Castor
A total of 184 job seekers were hired on the spot during the 2025 Kalayaan TRAIbaho Job Fair, held in celebration of the 127th Philippine Independence Day in Iloilo City.
The event, hosted at SM City Iloilo, was a joint initiative of the Iloilo City government through the Public Employment Service Office (PESO) and the Department of Labor and Employment.
According to PESO, 52 companies participated in the job fair.
In addition to the 184 immediate hires, 1,774 applicants were found qualified and are now moving forward in the recruitment process.
Another 962 applicants were scheduled for further interviews, PESO reported.
To streamline the job-hunting experience, PESO introduced sector-based badges, allowing applicants to easily identify employers aligned with their skills and backgrounds.
Job seekers were grouped into categories such as fresh graduates, TESDA-certified workers, persons with disabilities, LGBTQIA+ individuals, senior citizens and out-of-school youth.
The fair also featured an LGBTQIA+ Assistance Desk to address employment concerns, report discrimination cases, and connect individuals to free skills training opportunities.
“The Kalayaan TRAIbaho Job Fair is just one of the many efforts of the Iloilo City government, through PESO, to open doors of opportunity — not only for our residents but also for those from neighboring provinces who aspire for better employment,” Mayor Jerry Treñas said during the opening program.
He added that the event reflects both the country’s independence and every Filipino’s right to decent work and dignified living.
Treñas also expressed confidence that his daughter, mayor-elect Raisa Treñas-Chu, will continue building on the city’s current employment initiatives and strengthen collaboration with national agencies and the private sector to promote inclusive growth.
