Sixty-two jobseekers were hired on the spot (HOTS) during the first of the two-day special job fair for displaced workers of Philippine offshore gaming operators (POGOs) held in Pasay City, the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) said Wednesday.

Bureau of Local Employment (BLE) Director Patrick Patriwirawan reported that the 62 newly hired individuals were among the 434 applicants in the event.

“This is a 14 percent placement rate, which is about the average performance of our regular job fairs,” he said in a television interview.

About 12,378 job opportunities were offered by 790 employers during the job fair.

Among them are the sectors of business process outsourcing, retail and sales, accommodation, food services, construction, transport, and logistics.

The holding of the special job fair complies with President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s directive to the DOLE to find employment opportunities for those who stand to lose their jobs due to the ban on POGOs.

An estimated 79,735 Filipino and foreign workers are likely to be affected by the closure of such firms. (PNA)