Aldrich De Guzman walked into the SM City Pampanga Event Center on May 1 as just another applicant carrying copies of his resume. Hours later, he walked out as a newly hired employee. "Masaya po at hindi ako makapaniwala na hired-on-the-spot ako," he said, calling the opportunity a means to support his family and change his future .
Aldrich was not alone. The 124th Labor Day Job Fair, spearheaded by the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) Central Luzon, drew 4,259 jobseekers eager for a break. With 40 employers offering over 4,000 vacancies across manufacturing, retail, construction, and overseas employment, 21 applicants were hired on the spot . These weren't just statistics — they were lives transformed in a single day.
Edmalyn Guinto: A Fresh Graduate's Fast Break After Weeks of Silence
For 25-year-old Edmalyn Guinto, a fresh graduate, the job market had been discouraging. "Kahit online po, mahirap maghanap ng trabaho lalo na kung hindi naman talaga fit 'yung skills na nakalagay sa resume mo," she shared . After a week of sending applications with no response, she decided to try the job fair. Within hours, she was hired as a production worker.
"Sobrang bilis lang po ng process… hindi ka na mahihirapan na pumunta sa mga company nila kasi mayroon na silang lahat dito," Guinto said . For her, the result meant more than employment — it meant returning to help her parents after a short period of joblessness. "Masaya, kasi matutuloy 'yung pagtulong ko sa parents ko at hindi ako ganoon katagal naistambay sa bahay lang," she added.
Khaye Labis: From Tour Guide to San Miguel Merchandiser
The job fair also became a lifeline for career shifters. Khaye R. Labis, a former tour guide whose livelihood was affected by the energy crisis, walked away with a new path. She was hired on the spot as a Merchandiser for San Miguel Merchandising, proving that job fairs can bridge the gap between displaced workers and new industries .
Labis was also a former beneficiary of DOLE's JobStart program, a testament to how government interventions can create second chances. Her story echoes across the venue, where long lines of applicants reflected a common goal — finding work and rebuilding opportunities . For many, the job fair became a faster, more direct alternative to online applications that often go unanswered.
One-Stop Shop and Government Aid: Beyond Just Job Matching
The event was more than a hiring spree. A one-stop shop allowed applicants to efficiently process clearance and benefits through on-site booths from agencies including the NBI, SSS, PhilHealth, and Pag-IBIG . The Philippine Statistics Authority also provided National ID registration and ePhilID issuance, simplifying the pre-employment requirements that often delay new hires .
Beyond employment, DOLE distributed ₱912,000 in TUPAD wages to 160 beneficiaries in Barangay Sto. Niño, City of San Fernando, providing emergency employment for displaced workers . Another ₱1.27 million in livelihood assistance was released to 105 beneficiaries under the DOLE Integrated Livelihood Program (DILP), covering small retail, sewing, handicrafts, food vending, and repair services — including for persons deprived of liberty from the San Fernando District Jail . DOLE 3 Regional Director Geraldine M. Panlilio summed up the government's commitment: "Kami sa gobyerno ay patuloy na aagapay sa inyo" .
