MANILA, Philippines — Several senior high school (SHS) graduates were among those hired on the spot during a Labor Day job fair in Marikina City, with local officials encouraging them to pursue further education even as they enter the workforce.
Marikina Mayor Marjorie Ann “Maan” Teodoro said one of the first applicants hired during the May 1 job fair was an SHS graduate from Jesus Dela Peña National High School, highlighting the employability of young jobseekers under the K-12 program.
A total of dozens of applicants secured employment during the event, many of them SHS graduates who took advantage of opportunities offered by participating companies.
Despite the immediate job placements, Teodoro stressed the importance of continuing education to improve long-term career prospects.
“To those hired on the spot, congratulations,” she said, while urging the new hires to keep studying as they work to enhance their skills and qualifications.
The mayor, a former educator, emphasized that further learning would help young workers expand their knowledge and increase their chances of securing better-paying and more stable jobs in the future.
The job fair was organized through a partnership involving the Marikina City government, the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), and private sector partners, including SM Supermalls. It featured dozens of participating employers and a one-stop shop for government services to assist applicants.
The Marikina event was one of several job fairs held across the National Capital Region in line with Labor Day, aimed at providing accessible employment opportunities to Filipinos, particularly fresh graduates entering the workforce.
