Manila (23 February) -- In line with the thrust of President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, to create job openings for the people, the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) held a simultaneous PGMA's Jobs Fair throughout the country yesterday Monday (Feb 23).

In Davao region, DPWH regional director Osop Ali said that the Jobs Fair at DPWH was conducted purposely to cushion the ongoing economic crisis that the country is undergoing due to the Global recession.

DPWH Secretary Hermogenes Ebdane, Jr. instructed all regional offices of DPWH to launch a simultaneous Jobs Fair to undertake the order of the President to provide employment for the unemployed.

Director Osop said the DPWH remains a conduit for the jobseekers and contractors in coordination with the Association of Contractors, the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) and other concerned agencies.

On the other hand, ARD Rey Tamayo said the DPWH expects to employ about 500,000 warm bodies nationwide for the implementation of billions of pesos worth of projects to be implemented by the DPWH.

In region eleven, ARD Tamayo said, DPWH Davao Region is expected to implement more than P4-billion worth of projects this year and there is a need to increase construction workers, project engineers and others.

Job seekers rushed at the DPWH regional office yesterday (Monday) hoping to get at least employment to cope up with the needs of their families.

District Engineer Engr. Lorna Ricardo, who assisted the applicants for probable employment said this is one of the best ways to help the people who are looking for jobs.