DOLE-assisted entrepreneurs to display products during Labor Day livelihood fair at Tacloban

By Bong Pedalino

MAASIN CITY, Southern Leyte, April 26 (PIA) – Several entrepreneurs assisted by the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) from this city and other towns of the province, along with their products, will be joining the Livelihood Fair at Tacloban on May 1.

The activity will be one of the highlights of the 109th Labor Day celebration, said Neda Mosqueda of the DOLE field office based in this city.

Mosqueda said that among the products to be sold at the designated booths during the day-long fair are native food delicacies such as bocarillo, salvaro, and ampaw, among others. The event will be held at the Tacloban Astrodome.

Gawad Kalinga organizers are coordinating with the labor agency to bring the produce in many GK sites of the province, Mosqueda said.

Other exhibitors that are expected to participate are the Women’s Group in Barangay Bacolod, Hinundayan, who are into peanut-butter making, gabi and camote chips, from Sogod town, and from Liloan, she added.

Welcome address during the commemorative program will be delivered by Mrs. Margarita Dogooc, President of the Himay-angan Asosasyon sa mga Gagmayng Panginabuhian (HAGPI) of barangay Himay-angan, Liloan.

City Mayor Alfred Romualdez of Tacloban and Gov. Jericho Petilla of Leyte province will deliver their respective messages during the program, while DOLE Regional Director Forter Puguon will give the message in behalf of the Secretary of Labor.

Aside from the Livelihood Fair, which will start at 9 in the morning on Sunday, May 1, there will also be a Jobs Fair to accommodate those seeking employment either here in the country or abroad.

Mosqueda said she had already disseminated to various Public Employment Service Officers (PESO) in the province the information about the holding of the Jobs Fair as part of the overall activities marking this year’s observance of Labor Day, so those interested from their localities may apply.

Another activity will be the Services Fair, in which DOLE as a government agency will orient the audience on its wide array of programs, projects, and services that many can avail.

This year’s Labor Day theme is “Matuwid na Daan Tungo sa Kaunlaran Para sa Lahat.” A fun run early in the morning – from Robinson’s Place to Astrodome and from People Center to Astrodome – will open the day, to be followed by a Holy Mass by 6:00 am. (PIA-Southern Leyte/bong)