Palace urges public to join Independence Day activities

Malacañang on Saturday urged the public to take part in Sunday’s activities commemorating the 113th Philippine Independence Day. “Kung walang ginagawa, you can go watch the Independence Day parade and all other activities. Meron ding job fair," deputy presidential spokesperson Abigail Valte said on state-run dzRB radio. She said the activities range from flag-raising ceremonies in Kawit, Cavite, to the job fair and annual parade at the Luneta in Manila. The Independence Day celebration this year will be the first under the Aquino administration. Meanwhile, the Metro Manila police declared itself ready to ensure security of residents and participants at Independence Day rites in Metro Manila. Metro Manila police head Chief Superintendent Allan Purisima said they are coordinating with the military in the security arrangements. “We are ready to secure all activities for Sunday," Purisima said in an interview on dzBB radio, adding that his office has coordinated with its military counterpart and defined areas of responsibility. Purisima warned the public that some roads around Luneta may be closed as early as 10 a.m. Sunday. For now, he said they have not received intelligence information about any plot to disrupt the Independence Day rites. 24k jobs up for grabs On Sunday, at least 24,000 job opportunities will be up for grabs in Metro Manila as Filipinos mark their 113th Independence Day. The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) said the 24,000 local, overseas, and government jobs will be offered at the 2011 Kalayaan Job Fair at the Rizal Park. “The celebration of the nation’s independence is also a timely occasion for the DOLE to unchain the jobless from the shackles of unemployment," acting Labor Secretary Danilo Cruz said in a statement Friday afternoon. “We are exhausting all means to provide a vast array of productive and matched job opportunities for everyone," he added. The job fair is a joint effort of DOLE’s Metro Manila office and of at least 113 prospective employers. It is anchored on the theme, “Kalayaan: Paninindigan ng Bayan." The job fair reaffirms the heightened partnership among government, industry, and other sectors in generating more job opportunities to ensure workers’ employability and productivity, Cruz said. It will be held at the left side of the lagoon in Rizal Park from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday. Around 8,000 jobseekers are expected to flock to the fair, according to the Labor Department. “The roster of 83 local employers and 20 land-based and sea-based international manpower agencies and employers will bring about 14,000 local vacancies and 10,000 overseas opportunities to job seekers, including new graduates and overseas Filipino workers," the DOLE said. Aside from the licensed local and international employers, government agencies will also offer job opportunities. These include the Departments of Social Welfare and Development and Transportation and Communications, the Philippine Coast Guard, the Philippine National Police, the Armed Forces of the Philippines, the Philippine National Railways, the Philippine Commission on Women, the Civil Aeronautics Board, the Light Rail Transit Authority, and the Civil Service Commission. Facilitating compliance To facilitate the compliance of job applicants with documentary requirements, the DOLE has invited the Professional Regulation Commission, the Philippine Health Insurance Corp., the National Bureau of Investigation, and the Bureau of Internal Revenue to provide pre-employment documentation services. The Technical Education and Skills Development Authority will also give free haircut and massage services while the Trade Union Congress of the Philippines will conduct a skills demonstration. — JE, GMA News