Zamboanga City is set to launch the new year with a major employment drive as SM Supermalls, in partnership with government agencies, prepares to host an exclusive two-day job fair this weekend.
Exclusive Job Fair to Kick Off 2026 in Zamboanga
SM City Zamboanga, the Public Employment Service Office (PESO)-Zamboanga City, and the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE)-Zamboanga Peninsula are joining forces for a significant hiring event. The job fair will be held at the Mayor Vitaliano Agan Coliseum in Tetuan, Zamboanga City from Friday, January 16, to Saturday, January 17, 2026. Operating hours are from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on both days.
This event marks the beginning of SM's nationwide job fair program for 2026, carrying forward the momentum from a highly successful previous year. With the theme "Start strong. Find what fits. Your future begins at SM," the fair aims to connect local job seekers with immediate opportunities.
Building on a Landmark Year of Employment Success
The 2026 initiative builds upon an impressive track record established in 2025. Last year, SM Supermalls hosted 198 job fairs across the Philippines, creating a powerful bridge between job seekers and employers.
The 2025 results demonstrate the program's substantial impact:
- Over 117,000 job seekers participated nationwide.
- More than 6,000 employers from various industries took part.
- These efforts led to more than 15,000 on-the-spot hires.
SM's job fairs have evolved into a comprehensive career ecosystem, integrating not just recruitment but also skills training and government services directly into the event venues. This approach helps Filipino workers adapt to future job market demands while removing common barriers to employment.
What to Expect at the Zamboanga City Job Fair
The upcoming event in Zamboanga is already generating strong interest. Organizers expect to welcome over 5,000 applicants during the two-day fair. As of this week, more than 4,000 individuals have already pre-registered through PESO-Zamboanga City.
Job seekers will have access to a wide array of opportunities, with over 400 job openings available from more than 20 participating employers. Key industries represented include:
- Retail
- Food and Beverage
- Customer Service
- Operations
- Support Services
Online pre-registration for the event is currently open, offering applicants a head start. The fair is designed to be inclusive, catering to diverse job seeker groups—from fresh graduates and career shifters to experienced professionals.
As Zamboanga City continues to grow as a regional economic hub, this job fair serves as a vital platform for employment generation and workforce development. It underscores the importance of public-private collaboration in supporting inclusive economic growth in the region.
With a packed calendar of events planned for 2026, SM Job Fairs are poised to connect even more Filipinos to meaningful work, continuing their mission of empowering communities and uplifting lives through accessible employment opportunities.
