BY NYARIKA DOMANAIS
ILOILO City – The Public Employment Service Office (PESO) of the city government here has been declared the regional grand winner (highly urbanized city category) in the 2023 Search for Best PESO by the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) Region 6.
This marks the third consecutive year that Iloilo City PESO has won in this category.
The regional screening was conducted by DOLE-6 from May 29 to 31, 2024.
Gabriel Felix Umadhay, Iloilo City PESO manager, cited Mayor Jerry Treñas for the “all-out support in all our employment programs.”
“His vision of providing jobs for every Ilonggo became our mantra,” Umadhay said.
He also praised the Iloilo City PESO staff “for their selfless sacrifices, day in and day out, to ensure we continue to run all our 32 employment programs. This effort is our office’s unyielding commitment to improve the lives of our Ilonggo constituents through responsive, inclusive, and sustainable employment opportunities.”
Mayor Treñas congratulated Umadhay and the PESO team.
“When I first met you, I knew you were an achiever and would always aim for the highest star! Congratulations, and we are all rooting for you to get the national award once again. A real Ilonggo achiever – Gab Umadhay,” said Treñas.
The PESO plays a crucial role in local employment and labor services.
Established under Republic Act No. 8759, also known as the Public Employment Service Office Act of 1999, the PESO serves as a non-fee charging multi-employment service facility at the local government unit (LGU) level. Among its primary functions include:
* Job Matching and Placement – PESO facilitates the matching of job seekers with available job opportunities by maintaining a database of job vacancies and job seekers. It assists in referring qualified applicants to potential employers.
* Employment Counseling and Career Guidance – PESO offers career guidance and employment counseling services to help individuals make informed decisions about their career paths and improve their employability.
* Special Employment Programs – PESO administers various employment programs such as the Special Program for Employment of Students (SPES), Government Internship Program (GIP), and other initiatives aimed at providing temporary employment and work experience.
* Anti-Illegal Recruitment and Human Trafficking – PESO is involved in efforts to combat illegal recruitment and human trafficking by raising awareness and providing information on legal and safe employment practices.
* Employment Enhancement Services – PESO also provides services such as job fairs, employment coaching, and pre-employment seminars to prepare job seekers for the labor market.
Overall, PESO serves as a vital link between job seekers and employers, contributing to the improvement of employment rates and the promotion of inclusive economic growth./PN
