Davao City is set to host a significant employment event, the Araw ng Dabaw Job Fair, at SM City Davao in Ecoland, offering hundreds of job opportunities for local residents. This initiative aims to bridge the gap between job seekers and employers in the region.
Event Details and Announcement
Davao City Councilor Tek Ocampo officially announced the job fair during the Kapehan sa Dabaw media forum on March 9, 2026. The event is scheduled for March 11, starting at 7:30 a.m. and running throughout the day at SM City Davao. Ocampo highlighted that this one-stop fair will feature a total of 1,568 combined vacancies from 24 participating local employers, making it the city's largest job fair of the year.
Wide Range of Job Openings
The job fair will bring together employers from various sectors, providing diverse employment opportunities. The BPO industry leads with 701 openings, followed by retail and sales with over 256 vacancies. Other sectors include logistics, maintenance, and general labor with more than 216 positions, and corporate, finance, and administration with 97 or more opportunities. Additionally, there are vacancies in hospitality and food service (49), construction and engineering (37), and education and healthcare (17+).
On-Site Hiring and Special Initiatives
Participating companies are expected to conduct on-site initial screenings and hiring during the fair, allowing job seekers to potentially secure positions immediately. Ocampo also mentioned that the city is arranging a separate recruitment activity for senior citizens in coordination with the Public Employment Service Office (Peso). Applicants are encouraged to bring resumes and other necessary documents to facilitate the hiring process.
Historical Context and Impact
This event builds on past efforts to boost employment in Davao City, such as the Labor Day 2018 job fair that attracted hundreds of applicants. The Araw ng Dabaw Job Fair aims to connect Dabawenyos with employment opportunities across multiple fields, supporting the local economy and reducing unemployment rates. By focusing on key industries like BPO and retail, the fair addresses current labor market demands and promotes sustainable job growth in the region.
