Almost 900 job seekers in 1-day expo draws mixed feelings about economy

Having nearly 900 prospective job applicants show up in yesterday’s job expo points to its success, but it was also a somber reminder of a shrinking economy where unemployment is high among eligible U.S. workers.

“It’s a mixed thing. I’m happy that they’re here to apply for jobs. But I’m also quite disturbed that they’re here because they didn’t have a job,” acting governor Eloy S. Inos told Saipan Tribune at the Department of Commerce’s job expo held at the Pedro P. Tenorio Multi-Purpose Center in Susupe.

Ivan Blanco, director of Commerce’s Central Statistics Division, echoed Inos’ assessment.

“We were not expecting this many people because this morning, there were only 100 people who registered online. That’s a big difference from the hundreds we now see here. We’re happy with the turnout but at the same time, we see that there’s this many people who are looking for jobs,” he said.

Acting Commerce secretary Sixto Igisomar and Commerce’s David Maratita said there were 822 who signed up for the job expo, but there were also others who did not sign up but turned up to find employment.

“So I’d say there were almost 900 people who were at the job expo from 8:30am to 2pm,” Igisomar said. “I’m very happy with the result, and I will be following up with businesses next week.”

The CNMI Department of Labor will be holding a similar job fair on Nov. 2, Igisomar added.

Inos said the implementation of the federalization law, U.S. Public Law 110-229 brought with it many challenges and opportunities for eligible U.S. workers.

He thanked the U.S. Department of the Interior for its commitment and assistance to the CNMI, including a $1- million grant that will go a long way in creating jobs on the islands.

Interior Assistant Secretary for Insular Affairs Tony Babauta spoke of the value of working together to help turn the CNMI economy around.

He invited to the podium Office of Insular Affairs director Nik Pula to drive home his point by demonstrating an American Samoa exercise that Pula said is called “mili pati po.”

Inos and Babauta kicked off the jobs expo with a meet-and-greet session, and opening remarks.

In an interview later, Babauta said he’s pleased with the turnout.

“It’s good for businesses to be able to connect with people who are looking for jobs.to learn about different opportunities that are here,” he said, adding that the jobs expo was made possible by CNMI Commerce, Labor, and the Interior, among other agencies.

While there were nearly 900 at the jobs expo, Igisomar said they believe there’s thousands who are either unemployed or want to look for a second job or move to another job.

Blanco said there were 30 employers that participated at the jobs expo, including major companies such as Hyatt Regency Saipan, Saipan World Resort, Aqua Resort Club, Hafa Adai Beach Hotel, Docomo, Moylan’s Insurance, Triple J Enterprises, Star Marianas Inc., MCV Broadband, and Marianas Variety.

They were each assigned a table where they could hand out application forms, answer inquiries about vacancies, and receive filled out application forms.

Juan I. Tenorio, personnel manager of Hafa Adai Beach Hotel, said he brought with him 300 application forms and all of them were taken by job applicants.

He said he got two filled-out forms back, but he expects majority of the filled-out forms to be dropped off at Hafa Adai Beach Hotel in the next few days.

“We have about 48 vacancies, including front desk clerk, supervisor, housekeepers and cleaners,” he said.

Tenorio said he was expecting fewer people to show up, and was surprised that there’s this many who want to be employed.

Garry N. Charley, 60, said he’s been looking for a job since 2008 but hasn’t had any luck finding one. He hopes that the jobs expo will be his lucky charm.

“I can fix small appliances, I can be an auto mechanic, and I can also fix marine engines,” he said.

Many of those who showed up were young citizens, mostly NMC students.

Jacklyn Fejeran, 18, a freshman at Northern Marianas College, said she’s looking for a part-time job, preferably at a hotel.

“I’m hoping I’ll get a job soon,” the liberal arts major said as she was filling out application forms, along with other NMC students.

Elvielynn Santos, 18, also a freshman at NMC, is also looking for a part-time job at hotels. She got six application forms and will get three more online.

There were also those who wanted to move to another employer, including Marites Aurelio,42, who currently works at a hotel.

“If I could find a better job, I would,” she said, as she was filling out application forms.

John Blanco, consultant for Sablan Topline, a commercial cleaning company, said they brought 150 application forms and by 10:30am, they only had about 20 left.

He said they have about 20 job vacancies that they want to fill.

Rep. Edmund Villagomez (Cov-Saipan), chairman of the House Committee on Commerce and Tourism, said he’s not surprised that hundreds showed up given the state of the economy. He said it’s good that people are taking the initiative to come out and see what jobs are available out there.

House Speaker Eli Cabrera (R-Saipan) and Vice Speaker Felicidad Ogumoro (Cov-Saipan) said it was a “good turnout.”