Some 49 jobseekers were hired on the spot (HOTS) while 131 were close to being hired during the Dia de Zamboanga job fair, held at the KCC Mall in Gov. Camins from February 19 to 21.

Near-hires are considered hired but still need to submit additional or lacking requirements, or may need to undergo further interviews or tests/exams to fully qualify for the job.

In its initial report, the City’s Public Employment Service Office (PESO) said a total of 718 applicants – 283 of which were males and 435 females, flocked to the job fair venue and registered for the purpose.

The PESO also recorded 1,906 jobseekers to have been interviewed by the different companies that participated in the job fair. Of the total number, 1,616 were for local hiring and 290 for overseas employment.

Qualified to apply and submit their requirements were 1,342 jobseekers – 1,239 for local and 103 for overseas hiring.

A total of 5,701 job vacancies – 3,977 overseas employment and 1,724 local job were made available during the 3-day job fair, participated by 39 local companies and 6 international employers.

Mayor John Dalipe led the opening ceremony as he expressed his commitment to generating more job opportunities for the people of Zamboanga.