DOLE offers 12K jobs to POGO-displaced workers

The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) is offering over 12,000 job vacancies to workers displaced by the Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGO) industry through a job fair in Pasay City.

This initiative, known as "Project DAPAT", aims to provide alternative employment opportunities as directed by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.

During the first day of the job fair, 62 jobseekers were hired on the spot (HOTS) out of 434 applicants, resulting in a 14 percent placement rate.

Approximately 12,378 job opportunities were offered by 790 employers covering sectors such as business process outsourcing, retail and sales, accommodation, and construction.

The job fair is in compliance with President Marcos Jr.'s directive to find employment opportunities for an estimated 79,735 Filipino and foreign workers who may be affected by the POGO ban.

Executive Order 74 mandates all POGOs and IGLs to cease operations by December 31, 2024, or earlier, with some already having ended operations as early as September.