February 1-7 is observed as World Interfaith Harmony Week. In Isabela City, the Department of Labor and Employment- Isabela City Field Office, as an active partner of the Interfaith Council of Leaders (IFCL), in collaboration with the Isabela City Government Public Employment Service Office (PESO) facilitated the conduct of a Job Fair which was held at the Querexeta Formation Center, Isabela City on February 6, 2018 with the theme "Celebrating the transforming power of the love of God and love of neighbor for the common good".

With the strong partnership that this Office maintains between and among stakeholders, the love for service for others and giving due importance to the value for money, this affair is dubbed as a "Job Fair with six activities in one (6-IN-1) event". These activities include: 1) Turn-over of Livelihood Starter Kits; 2) Learning Session on Anti-Illegal Recruitment and Trafficking in Persons (AIR-TIP); 3) Orientation on TulongPanghanabuhaysaAting Disadvantaged/ Displaced (TUPAD) workers; 4) Learning Session on Occupational Safety and Health (OSH); 5) Showcasing and Advocacy of DOLE Programs and Services through the Labor and Employment Education Services (LEES) video clips developed by the DOLE Central Office; and 6) Orientation on the Programs of the Social Security System (SSS).

A total of five companies participated in the Job Fair, 4 of which are overseas recruitment agencies and one local employer, with 2,647 job vacancies. Of these vacancies 2,639 are for overseas employment, while 8 for local. Of the 249 jobseekers registered, 15 were considered qualified and only one was hired-on-the-spot (HOTS).

Partners and friends who shared their time, efforts and resources in this worthwhile event are the supportive public servants of the Social Security System (SSS), Technical Education Skills Development Authority (TESDA) ? Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao, IFCL?Basilan headed by Rev. Father Franklin Floyd Costan, Local Government Unit of Isabela City Mayor Al-Qaid J. Akbar, PESO Manager Rosella T. Luna, POEA?9 Officer-in-charge Marietta M. Bellotindos, DXNO personnel, Association of Zamboanga Peninsula Recruitment Agencies (AZPRA) and Aleson Shipping Lines.

Rev. Father Costan highlighted the year's theme to the participants and put emphasis on the graces of God to mankind, and borrowed the words of Cardinal Tagle, "Ikaw ay isangbiyayangDiyosnaginawaNiyanamagingbiyayasaibangtao".

The young and visionary Mayor Al-Qaid J. Akbar of Isabela City inspired the participants with his short but profound message. In his talk, he envisions for Basile?os, particularly the Isabele?os to be employed locally so that they need not leave the country and become vulnerable to abuses. Further, he emphasized the importance of local employment for his constituents. Thereafter, he informed the group of the City's development plan contributions towards local employment generation.

POEA 9 OIC, Marietta Bellotindos discussed informative issues or topics on AIR-TIP to the participants.

Livelihood opportunities were also given to six (6) Kabuhayan Starter Kit beneficiaries, with a total of P 96,222.50 worth of equipment, tools, jigs and raw materials. One of those who received a livelihood on Rice Retailing was Mrs. Melani M. Benitez, wife of one of the casualties of the encounter between government troops and the Maute group in Marawi City last year. Apparently, eighty-two (82) vulnerable workers were also oriented on TUPAD, OSH and SSS programs and services.

Anchored on the theme and message of Rev. Father Costan, the 6 in 1 activity was indeed a grace originated from God, as the source of everything, one must value and cultivate, for us to become a grace to others. End

Marlyn M. Anoos, ICFO