Over 600 jobs, services put within reach of Kalinga jobseekers; 28 hired on the spot

TABUK CITY, Kalinga — More than 600 local and overseas employment opportunities were brought closer to Kalinga jobseekers and returning overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) during the “Abbuyog ad Kalinga” National Reintegration Network Fair and World Café of Opportunities (WCO) held at the Kalinga Sports Center on August 28, 2026.

The event provided jobseekers, returning OFWs, technical-vocational graduates and other participants with access to employment opportunities and government services designed to support employment, livelihood, skills development and reintegration.

One venue, multiple services

Through the event's one-stop-shop setup, participants were able to access various government services without having to visit different offices.

Among the participating agencies were the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW), Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA), Public Employment Service Office (PESO), Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA), National Commission on Indigenous Peoples (NCIP), Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT), Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), PhilHealth, Social Security System (SSS), Pag-IBIG, Department of Health (DOH), Department of Science and Technology (DOST), Professional Regulation Commission (PRC), Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA), LandBank of the Philippines (LBP), Department of Agriculture (DA), Department of Tourism (DOT), Department of Education (DepEd), Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR), and Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA).

The Integrated Bar of the Philippines-Kalinga, Philippine National Bank and Philippine Red Cross-Kalinga Chapter also participated.

The services aimed to address not only employment concerns but also other needs related to livelihood, skills training, documentation, financial services and the reintegration of returning OFWs.

28 hired on the spot

The employment component resulted in 28 on-the-spot hires, according to the DMW-CAR.

Of those hired, 18 were women and 10 were men, who were employed for positions such as operator, cashier, customer assistant, bagger, driver and sales associate.

The activity also sought to provide returning OFWs with local employment options and encourage aspiring OFWs to consider available opportunities in the Philippines.

During the event, DMW-CAR OIC-Regional Director Atty. Cheryl L. Daytec said the government wants returning OFWs to see that they have employment opportunities in the country and do not necessarily have to leave again to find work.

She also encouraged those planning to work abroad to consider local opportunities before pursuing overseas employment.

₱340,000 assistance released

Aside from employment opportunities, the DMW-CAR distributed a total of ₱340,000 in financial assistance to five beneficiaries during the event.

Four beneficiaries received assistance through the AKSYON Fund, consisting of one medical assistance recipient, one distressed OFW and two next-of-kin beneficiaries of deceased OFWs who received death assistance.

One of the beneficiaries was Esperidion V. Peralta Jr., a seafarer who spent nearly three decades working abroad as a roustabout and laborer.

Peralta received ₱75,000 in medical assistance after sustaining an accident while on board a vessel.

The activity highlighted the government's efforts to bring employment opportunities, government services and reintegration assistance directly to Kalinga workers and their families.