MassKara Job Fair Opens Doors for Over 5,000 Job Seekers

October 5, 2025

Thousands of job seekers gathered at the Ayala Malls Capitol Central Activity Center on Sunday, October 5, 2025, for the annual MassKara Job Fair. It is the city’s biggest employment event, organized by the Public Employment Service Office (PESO)-Bacolod in partnership with the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE).

Mayor Greg Gasataya led the opening ceremony, joined by Councilor Jason Villarosa, PESO Head Mae Llamas, Executive Assistant and PESO Coordinator Jovelyn Canoy, and DOLE officials and representatives.

“Rest assured that we will continue to develop more programs and initiatives to provide greater opportunities for our local workforce,” Mayor Gasataya emphasized in his message.

This year’s job fair offered nearly 11,000 vacancies from over a hundred participating local and national firms. This gave applicants a wide range of employment options across various industries.

Canoy highlighted that many participating companies were open to hiring entry-level applicants, including fresh graduates and senior high school completers.

“In response to the mayor’s call, I’ve observed that several of our partner firms have recalibrated their qualifications—without compromising the quality of job seekers they hire,” Canoy said.

There were 5,282 applicants who registered, 2,206 of them male and 3,076 female, with 3,809 qualified, 165 near hired, and 83 hired on the spot.

Among more than 83 applicants hired on the spot was Lyza Lou Abella, a single mother and call center agent who finally found an opportunity in public service. She will soon join PESO-Bacolod as a staff member.

“I never expected to be hired on the spot. I just wanted to find a job with regular working hours so I could spend more time with my two kids,” Abella shared.

Also hired on the spot were Andria Pit and Michaela Calibut, both out-of-town applicants who will begin their new roles at a pharmacy in Bacolod.

The MassKara Job Fair remains a cornerstone of PESO-Bacolod’s efforts, opening doors to meaningful employment for Bacolodnons.

In the spirit of the MassKara Festival, this event highlights Bacolod’s ongoing commitment to the well-being and prosperity of its residents and the wider Negrense community.* (Bacolod City Communications Office text & photos)