The provincial government once again opened doors of opportunity to Negrenses through the Negros Occidental Job Fair 2025, held Sept. 12 at SM City Bacolod, with more than 3,000 job applicants registered.
Organized by the provincial Public Employment Service Office (PESO) and the Provincial Human Resource Management Office, with support from DOLE, TESDA, and SM City Bacolod, the fair featured more than 6,000 vacancies from 45 participating companies across various industries.
Throughout the day, long queues of applicants filled the venue, many hopeful to secure employment before the year ends.
Fifty-two applicants secured employment contracts, having been hired-on-the-spot after interviews, SM Bacolod said in a statement.
To help jobseekers prepare, the Negrosanon Young Leaders Institute Inc. (NYLI) offered free resume consultations, ID photographs, and printing services. This was valuable support for first-time applicants and those updating their job credentials.
PESO Negros Occidental manager Karen Dinsay highlighted the importance of the activity, saying: “Every job fair is more than just an event, it is a bridge between people seeking employment and companies that need their skills.”
She added that this collaboration between government and the private sector is crucial in ensuring that opportunities reach Negrenses directly, without unnecessary barriers.
She further noted the provincial government’s strong backing for such initiatives.
“Governor Bong Lacson has been very clear about his support for job generation programs. These efforts reflect his commitment to create avenues where Negrenses can achieve economic stability and growth,” Dinsay said.
With thousands of applicants served, the Provincial Job Fair 2025 reaffirmed its role as a vital platform for linking workers to opportunities, underscoring the province’s drive to enhance employment and uplift local communities. ||
