The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) in Region 12 has marked a highly successful year in employment facilitation, providing crucial assistance to tens of thousands of jobseekers across the Soccsksargen region.
Record-Breaking Assistance Through Job Fairs
In a statement released on Friday, December 27, 2025, DOLE Regional Office 12 reported a significant achievement for the year. The agency strengthened employment access by organizing a total of 81 job fairs across the region's key cities and municipalities. These events served as a direct and powerful labor market intervention, successfully assisting 27,160 jobseekers in their pursuit of employment.
The most immediate impact was seen in the 1,680 individuals who were hired-on-the-spot (HOTS), securing jobs directly at the fairs. This initiative effectively reduced job search costs for applicants and supported faster hiring processes for participating companies.
Collaborative Efforts for Inclusive Growth
The success of the employment drive was powered by strong local partnerships. DOLE-12 worked closely with Local Government Units (LGUs) through their respective Public Employment Service Offices (PESOs). This coordination was vital in bringing employment services directly to communities, ensuring that the job fairs addressed specific local labor market needs.
Raymond Fel Sajor, Officer-in-Charge Regional Director, emphasized the strategy's inclusivity. "Through strong partnerships with LGUs, PESOs, and government agencies, we are making employment facilitation more inclusive, accessible, and impactful," he stated. The official credited this collaborative model for promoting inclusive growth throughout Soccsksargen.
A diverse range of industries was represented, with 1,529 employers participating to offer a wide array of job opportunities. The fairs also functioned as one-stop shops, where partner government agencies provided on-site assistance for social protection programs, livelihood support, and labor rights information.
Digital Expansion and Year-Round Facilitation
Complementing the physical events, DOLE 12 continued to maximize the use of PhilJobNet, the government's official online labor market information portal. This digital tool expanded the reach of employment services beyond the limitations of physical locations and event schedules.
Through PhilJobNet, jobseekers gained the ability to search and apply for vacancies at any time, while employers could efficiently post job openings and screen applicants. This online platform has been instrumental in strengthening year-round employment facilitation in Region 12, ensuring that the quest for jobs and talent continues seamlessly beyond job fair dates.
The combined force of on-ground job fairs and a robust online portal demonstrates DOLE-12's comprehensive approach to tackling unemployment and underemployment, setting a benchmark for employment service delivery in the region for 2025.
