ILOILO – The municipality of Tigbauan’s Public Employment Service Office (PESO) bested 17 other PESOs in the province after it won the title as Best PESO during the 2023 PESO Provincial Congress: A Governor’s Award on April 10.
Other major winners were the following:
* first place – PESO Passi City
* second place – PESO Oton
* third place – PESO Tubungan
* fourth place – PESO Janiuay
The event was graced by Atty. Bernard Olalia, Undersecretary for Licensing and Adjudication Licensing Services, Department of Migrant Workers (DMW).
Gov. Arthur Defensor Jr. and Olalia led the awarding of cash prizes and plaques to the winners with outstanding and exemplary performance in the delivery of employment facilitation and protection services in the province.
Minor awards were also given:
* Most number of registered/assisted applicants during the conduct of job fairs/LRAs and SRAs/Regular Program – PESO Oton
* Most number of job vacancies solicited during the conduct of job fair/s – PESO Passi City
* Validator’s Choice Best Video Award – PESO Passi City
In his speech, Olalia talked about the partnership of PESO and DMW in facilitating overseas job opportunities for the Ilonggos and initiatives in empowering the workforce.
“The convergence of the Department of Migrant Workers Programs and LGU (local government unit) initiatives, particularly in providing labor market information and implementing anti-illegal recruitment programs in collaboration with PESO is a testament of our collective determination to safeguard the rights and welfare of our workers. Together, we stand firm against exploitation and abuse to ensure that every worker has access to fair and dignified employment,” Olalia said.
He also shared the message of DMW OIC-Secretary Hans Cacdac who lauded the programs, projects and initiatives of PESO-Iloilo Province.
“You led the pursuit of excellence that does not only facilitate employment opportunities but has also set a benchmark for efficiency and effectiveness in public service. Your commitment to elevation in service delivery is really commendable,” part of Cacdac’s message as read by Olalia.
“By working hand in hand, we can create a more conducive environment for economic growth and prosperity,” he added.
On his part, Gov. Defensor explained the importance of Republic Act 11206, or the Secondary School Career Guidance and Counseling Act, which aims to equip the secondary students in making educated career decisions and ensure that college graduates meet the requirements of the government and industry.
“There is a gap between the human resource that we are producing and the needs of the economy of the government, therefore we want our educational system to produce the human resources that it needs, and it starts at the secondary level when our children are deciding what career to choose,” Defensor said.
Francisco Heler, Jr., Provincial PESO Manager, highlighted and thanked the support given by the governor, through the distribution of laptops to the 42 municipalities and one component city in the province to be utilized for the human resource data banking.
“Our beloved Governor Toto has given us his support and allowed us to purchase 43 laptops which were distributed to different municipalities and component city to be utilized for Employment Facilitation and Protection System that can provide the data that the governor needs,” Heler said.
In addition, Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) Region 6 director Atty. Sixto Rodriguez, through OIC-ARD Melisa Navarra, acknowledged the grit of the barangay PESOs who sacrificed a lot in bringing the government services to the grassroots level of the society.
Among the provincial government officials who were also present during the awarding were Provincial Administrator Raul Banias and Provincial Board members Rolando Distura and June Mondejar, who also showed their steadfast support, and recognized the efforts and initiatives of the PESO in employment facilitation and protection services.
PESO-Iloilo Province was also able to give recognition to different national government agencies such as DOLE, DMW, Overseas Workers Welfare Administration, Technical Education and Skills Development Authority, as well as the Provincial PESOMAP presidents for the strong collaborations in strengthening and delivering services, and their unwavering support to the PESO programs./PN
