By Rachel Magday NUEVA VIZCAYA, Philippines — Jobseekers and residents seeking frontline government services will have access to both in one venue as the provincial government holds the Gayyem ti Umili Jobfair cum Government Service Caravan on May 6 and 7, 2026, at the Carlos M. Padilla Convention Center. More than 750 job vacancies from local to international will be available at the job fair. The two-day event, part of the Pre Grand Ammungan activities, is spearheaded by the Office of Governor Atty. Jose V. Gambito through the provincial government’s Public Employment and Service Division(PESD). Carrying the slogan “Bring Best • Look Best • Speak Best,” the fair will assemble private employers across banking and finance, retail, logistics, healthcare and manufacturing — plus accredited overseas recruiters — to recruit for local and overseas positions and conduct on‑the‑spot hiring. “This job fair and service caravan is our way of bringing opportunities and government services closer to the people,” Gambito said. “We want our constituents to find decent work, secure the documents they need, and access public assistance without having to go from one office to another. Government must be felt where the people are.” The government service caravan will provide on-site assistance from national agencies, including National ID registration and verification by the Philippine Statistics Authority; membership registration and updating by PhilHealth, Pag-IBIG Fund and the Social Security System; and motorcycle and tricycle plate distribution for 2017 model year and below by the Land Transportation Office. The Department of Information and Communications Technology will promote e-government systems, while TESDA will process National Certificate applications and renewals, as well as scholarship applications. The National Bureau of Investigation will offer clearance processing and verification. For overseas Filipino workers, the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration and the Department of Migrant Workers will provide welfare services, Overseas Employment Certificate issuance for balik-manggagawa, legal assistance, OFW records issuance, e-registration, anti-illegal recruitment and anti-trafficking campaigns, and Pre-Employment Orientation Seminar services. The Department of Social Welfare and Development will also offer Employment Assistance Fund services. Dolly Rose C. Minas, Supervising Labor Employment Officer and head of the PESD, urged jobseekers to bring updated résumés, government-issued IDs and other necessary documents for hiring and service processing.

By Orlan C. Jabagat   PUERTO PRINCESA CITY, Philippines (PIA) — The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE)-Palawan, in partnership with the Puerto Princesa City Public Employment Office (PESO), will offer more than 700 local job vacancies in the 124th Labor Day Job Fair on May 1. In an interview with City PESO Officer Demetrio Lopez, Jr., 32 local companies and establishments confirmed that they will join said activity to be held at Robinson’s Place Palawan from 10:00AM to 4:00PM. “We have 32 local companies/establishments that will join us in our Labor Day Job Fair that will be held at Robinsons Mall this May 1, with a total of 743 job vacancies,” Lopez said, adding that five  overseas agencies from Manila were invited but none of them confirmed their participation. Although the job fair is only until 4:00PM, they will continue to accept if there are still applicants onsite, he said, adding  “We aim to hire at least 15 percent of the job applicants on the spot that day.” Lopez also advised applicants to bring multiple copies of their updated resumes because there are many jobs available. If they don’t qualify for one, they can apply for other vacancies. Applicants should also bring their training certificates and other relevant documents to serve as backup for their qualifications, or the employer may require them to submit. He also advised them to prepare for the interview and wear appropriate attire when applying for a job. According to DOLE-Palawan Provincial Director Rhea J. Paitan, during the job fair, there will also be a one-stop shop that will provide various services for applicants as well as others in need of government services. These include the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration, National Bureau of Investigation, Social Security System, Department of Information and Communications Technology, Civil Service Commission, Department of Migrant Workers, Professional Regulation Commission, City Health Office, Pag-IBIG Fund, PhilHealth, Technical Education and Skills Development Authority and the Philippine Statistics Authority. DOLE-Palawan is also set to provide livelihood assistance on May 1, details on the target the beneficiaries and assistance to be given are being finalized. Aside from the job fair, DOLE-Palawan will also lead the implementation of the Kadiwa ng Pangulo at the City Hall on May 30, where farmers’ products can be purchased at affordable prices. DOLE-Palawan is partnering with the City Agriculture Office for said event. This year’s Labor Day has a theme “Disenteng trabaho para sa lahat: Iisang Hangarin, Bagong Pilipinas Sama-samang Mararating.” (OCJ/JBG/PIA MIMAROPA-Palawan)    

NAGA CITY, Philippines — The City Government of Naga will launch the latest edition of its city tourism brand on May 1, 2026 at the Metro Naga Sports Complex. The brand launch is being organized by the city government through its Investment and Tourism Promotions Office. On the same day and at the same venue, the QWK Group of Companies, led by chairperson Bong Rodriguez, will open the first-ever Isarog International Hot Air Balloons & Music Festival 2026, which will run until May 3. Mayor Leni Robredo expressed jubilation after QWK invited the city government to co-host the festival at no cost, while the event itself will be funded by the company’s corporate sponsors and collaborators. Attendees of the brand launch are expected to witness the opening activities of the balloon and music festival, offering an added attraction to the occasion. Both events are seen to help stimulate tourism and create new opportunities not only for Naga City but also for neighboring towns in Metro Naga, and the wider Camarines Sur and Bicol Region. I Jason Neola      

By Ruben A. Veloria   IBA, ZAMBALES, Philippines – Governor Hermogenes Ebdane Jr. personally visited and inspected the province’s major infrastructure projects on Apr. 29 to ensure that they are on the right track and each meets high quality standard. Gov. Ebdane was joined in the inspection by Provincial Consultant for Infrastructure and Development Engr. Domingo Mariano, Executive Assistant to the Governor Ms. Larraine B. Rico, and other provincial engineers. The group also inspected the newly constructed Temporary Relocation Building (TRB), which will serve as temporary provincial offices while the new Provincial Capitol Building is under construction. Once the new Provincial Capitol is completed, the TRB building will become the new office of the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (PDRRMO) and some offices of the Provincial Engineer’s Office (PEO). Ebdane highlighted plans to revitalize the old Provincial Capitol building which is being eyed to become a central venue for provincial events and activities, preserving its historical value while giving it a renewed purpose. The governor noted that regular inspections are part of efforts to ensure infrastructure projects are completed on time, within budget and in accordance with quality standards ensuring that every peso of taxpayers’ money is spent wisely on projects that directly benefit residents.    

LA UNION, Philippines– Pinangunahan ni Governor Mario Eduardo C. Ortega at Vice Governor Eric O. Sibuma ang pormal na pamamahagi ng 92 Multi-Purpose Vehicles (MPVs) at dalawang dump trucks sa ginanap na Turnover Ceremony sa Speaker Pro Tempore Francisco I. Ortega Convention Center, San Fernando City, La Union, noong Abril 30. Nasa 92 na barangay mula sa limang bayan sa La Union ang nakatanggap ng mga sasakyan kalakip ang emergency equipment na handog ng Provincial Government of La Union (PGLU). Sa tulong ng mga makabagong kagamitan na ito, maaasahan na mas mapabubuti ng mga barangay ang paghahatid ng mga pangunahing serbisyo para sa mamamayan. Kabilang sa mga nabigyan ng MPVs ang 24 na barangay ng Aringay, 15 barangay sa San Gabriel, 11 barangay sa Santol, 24 barangay sa Santo Tomas, at 18 barangay sa Tubao. Sa kanilang pagtanggap ng mga susi at opisyal na dokumento ng kanilang sasakyan, labis-labis ang pasasalamat ng mga alkalde ng mga bayan, maging ang mga punong barangay at mga kagawad ng recipient-barangays, sa tulong na ibinigay ng PGLU. Samantalang, ipinagkaloob naman ang dalawang dump trucks sa Barangay Madayegdeg ng San Fernando City at sa Municipal Government ng San Juan. Ipinabatid ni Gov. Mario na buo ang kanyang tiwala na ang mga nasabing sasakyan ay gagamitin ng mga barangay para sa pagbibigay ng mas mabilis at angkop na alalay para sa kanilang mga nasasakupan. “Itong mga sasakyan na ito ay sumisimbolo sa ating pagkakaisa sa serbisyo publiko. Ito rin ay simbolo sa pagtupad ng ating mga pangako – dahil ito ang diwa ng ating serbisyo, ang ‘pudno nga agserbi,” pahayag ni Gov. Mario. Buo din ang suporta ni Vice-Governor Sibuma sa mga barangay. Aniya, tiyak na magagamit ang mga sasakyan para sa kapakanan ng bawat miyembro ng komunidad. Ang pagtanggap ng mga MPV ng mga punong barangay (PB) at mga kagawad ay sinaksihan ng kani-kanilang mga alkalde, na sina Aringay Mayor Benjamin Sibuma na nirepresenta ni Vice Mayor Charito Sibuma-Yu, San Gabriel Mayor Lany B. Carbonell kasama si Vice Mayor Ramolito A. Guinomma, Santol Mayor Maria Theresa Lynn Wailan-Senen kasama si dating Mayor Engr. Magno Wailan, Santo Tomas Mayor Severino C. Carbonell, at Tubao Mayor Jonalyn G. Fontanilla-Piayas. Samantala, ang mga dump truck naman ay tinanggap ni San Juan Mayor Mariquita P. Ortega na nipreresenta ni Vice Mayor Arturo P. Valdriz, at ang mga opisyales ng Brgy. Madayegyeg sa pamumuno ni Punong Barangay Rosalyn M. Tabac. Nakiisa rin sa programa sina First District Congressman Francisco Paolo Ortega V, at mga Board Members na sina Hon. Chary Nisce, Hon. Miguel Corleone Magsaysay, Hon. Gerard Ostrea, Hon. Aaron Kyle Pinzon, Hon. Jefferson Fernando, Hon. Teresita Garcia, Hon. Harold Dave Sibuma, Hon. Ramon Guio Ortega, Jr., at Hon. Joyce M. Abuan; at mga kawani ng PGLU sa pamumuno ni Provincial Administrator Ramon B. Torres.