Bringing career opportunities nearer to job seekers in the region during the celebration of the 3rd NHED and CHED’s 29th Founding Anniversary, the CHED Regional Office 2 (CHED RO2), in partnership with the Department of Labor and Employment Regional Office 2 (DOLE RO2) and SM City Tuguegarao, conducted the First CHED Regional Office 2 Job Expo 2023 on May 25, 2023 at SM City Tuguegarao, Caritan, Tuguegarao City, Cagayan.
Esteemed representatives from DOLE RO2, headed by OIC-Regional Director Jesus Elpidio B. Atal Jr., and SM City Tuguegarao, led by Ms. Kristine Iris V. Ceballos, SM City Tuguegarao Mall Manager, graced the event.
CHED RO2 OIC-Regional Director, Atty. Marco Cicero F. Domingo, expressed CHED RO2’s gratitude to all the participants and its collaborators in the realization of the job expo and emphasized its intentions. As enshrined in the Republic Act No. 11522, Atty. Domingo also underscored and encouraged the participation and engagement of institutions from both the public and private sectors to activities relating to the annual observance of the National Higher Education Day in commemoration of CHED’s founding anniversary.
On one hand, DOLE RO2 OIC-Regional Director Jesus Elpidio B. Atal Jr. conveyed in his message the vital role of the job expo in facilitating the meeting of jobseekers and employers, and the creation of employment. Moreover, OIC-RD Atal encouraged participating employers to hire on the spot for it is a way of helping the country’s growth and a contributory factor in reducing unemployment.
SM City Tuguegarao’s Mall Manager, Ms. Kristine Iris V. Ceballos, further articulated that the job expo reflects the shared commitment of CHED, DOLE, and SM to providing employment opportunities to the Filipino community. “As we all know the COVID-19 pandemic has greatly affected our economy and the livelihoods of many Filipinos, but through this job fair, we hope to provide a glimmer of hope for job seekers and help them find meaningful employment opportunities”, Ms. Ceballos said.
A total of 20 varied employers across diverse industries that include healthcare and pharmaceuticals, finance and banking, education, media and entertainment, retail and consumer goods, environmental services, hospitality and tourism, shipping or courier services, construction and real estate, automotive and transportation, telecommunications, food and beverage, and agriculture and food production registered and participated in the job expo.
Of all the job hopefuls during the one-day event, 22 applicants were hired on the spot after successfully passing through the scrutiny of participating employers.