As tribute to all Filipino workers for their valuable contribution to the economy, the Department of Labor and Employment Regional Office No. 9 gears up for a grand celebration of the 115th Labor Day this year with the theme "Matatag na Kabuhayan at Trabaho Tungo sa Progresibong Pagbabago". In partnership with the Regional Coordinating Committee, Field Offices and the Zamboanga City Tripartite Industrial Peace Council, DOLE9 promises the public with a productive and fun-filled day as lined-up activities await both workers and jobseekers at the Western Mindanao State University (WMSU) on May 1.

Yearly, Labor Day Celebrations center on the conduct of Job Fairs all throughout the country. In Region 9, more than 39,000 jobs, both local and overseas, will be offered by thirty-eight (38) employers during the Jobs Fair to be held at both WMSU and KCC Mall de Zamboanga. Seventeen (17) local employers from the different industries are among those who will offer vacancies while POEA invited twenty one (21) licensed private recruitment agencies to interview interested applicants during the Job Fair. The vacancies to be offered will still increase as the Labor Day approaches. Jobseekers are advised to bring their pre-employment documents and pre-register at the Zamboanga City Public Employment Service Office (PESO) from Monday to Friday, 8:00am to 5:00pm to avoid long queues during the actual fair.

Anchoring on the theme, DOLE9 applies its Trabaho, Negosyo at Kabuhayan Concept in the conduct of other activities such as the Diswkento Fair, where merchants are able to display products offering huge discounts to the public and the Livelihood Fair which will showcase products and services of DOLE's livelihood beneficiaries.

Aside from those mentioned, DOLE9 will feature several other activities to commemorate this significant occasion: Motorcade, Mass at Fort Pilar Shrine, One-Stop-Shop, Raffle, Live Band Performance, ball games, TESDA's reflexology, free beauty/ nail care services, Medical Mission, Blood Letting and Search for Talentadong Obrero. All major activities will be held at the Juanito Bruno Gymnasium, ball games at the Covered Court and Diskwento Fair at the Open Field, all in WMSU.

On May 1, DOLE9 and its partners are inviting all workers, both from the government and private sector as well as jobseekers to join in on the festive celebration of Labor Day and to experience firsthand all the lined up activities dedicated to the hardworking labor force of Region 9.

End/Karen Claire Q. Grafia, LIO-Designate