The Trabaho Para sa Pinoys Job Fair, held on Wednesday, March 11, 2026, at the SM City Davao Annex Activity Area along Quimpo Boulevard in Matina, Davao City, became a bustling hub for employment opportunities. Job seekers flocked to the event, engaging directly with employers in a one-stop venue designed to streamline the hiring process.
Partnerships and Early Success
Organized in collaboration with key agencies, including the Public Employment Service Office (Peso)-Davao City, the City Government of Davao, the Department of Migrant Workers-Davao Region (DMW-Davao), and the Department of Labor and Employment–Davao Region (Dole-Davao), the fair aimed to connect applicants with diverse job prospects. By 9:40 a.m., five job seekers had already been hired on the spot, reflecting the active participation of both employers and applicants. Several companies conducted immediate interviews and recruitment, highlighting the event's efficiency.
Local and International Opportunities
The job fair offered a wide range of positions, catering to both local and overseas employment needs. Applicants could submit documents, explore available roles, and interact directly with participating companies. Councilor Tek Ocampo, in an interview, emphasized the growing turnout as the day progressed, noting opportunities in countries like Finland, New Zealand, and Japan for skilled, mechanical, and caregiving work.
He expressed gratitude for the partnerships, stating, "We are very thankful sa City Government of Davao kay nakipag partner sa Peso, Dole, of course ang Department of Migrant Workers so naa sila diri karun." Ocampo also highlighted the presence of the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (Tesda), which provided information on training programs and NC II certifications to help job seekers strengthen their qualifications for both domestic and international markets.
Hiring Expectations and Future Plans
Ocampo shared optimism about the hiring outcomes, hoping that 20 to 30 percent of applicants might be hired on the spot, though he acknowledged that companies must consider specific qualifications. He added, "If it were up to him, he would prefer to see a confidence level of 100 percent hiring," while recognizing that some applicants may undergo further interviews and screening.
For international roles, additional steps such as document submission and separate interviews are required to ensure safe recruitment. Ocampo revealed discussions for another job fair, possibly in October, along with expanded collaboration with Tesda to offer more training and credentials, aiming to further boost employment prospects in the region.
