PESO 12 joins 13th National PESO Congress in Leyte

Thirty-nine Public Employment Service Office (PESO) Managers from Region 12 attended the 13^th National PESO Congress held on September 25-27, 2013 at the Oriental Hotel in Palo, Leyte. 

Local Government Units (LGUs) in the provincial, city, and municipal levels including the Non-Government Organizations (NGOs) and academic institutions that have established their respective PESOs sent delegates to the said congress organized by the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) through the Bureau of Local Employment (BLE).

Regional Director Ofelia Domingo of DOLE 12 and PESO 12 Federation President Ricardo Dagcuta headed the regional delegation in the said congress that gathered more than 700 participants from all regions.

DOLE Secretary Rosalinda Dimapilis-Baldoz delivered her keynote speech during the opening program. She lauded the PESO Managers in their unwavering support to the programs of the DOLE especially in carrying out their core functions on job referral and placement, labor market information, career advocacy, and the integrated livelihood program.

Several topics were discussed during plenary sessions including the presentation by the Technical Skills Development Authority (TESDA) on how it could partner with the PESO in the implementation of skills development programs.

The National Economic Development Authority (NEDA) also presented “Investment Projects for Job Generation”, while the resource speaker from Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) talked on how the PESO could help in the government’s poverty alleviation programs.

Other topics presented included the “Benefits and Programs for OFWs” by the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA), Batas Kasambahay or Republic Act 10361 by the Bureau of Working Conditions, and the “K-12 Implementing Rules and Regulations” by the Department of Education.

One of the highlights of the congress was the awarding ceremony for the Best PESO for year 2012 in several categories, namely: 1^st to 3^rdclass municipalities, 4^th to 6^th class municipalities, 1^stclass provinces, 2^nd class provinces, 3^rd class provinces, component cities, highly-urbanized cities, and NGOs/State Universities and Colleges (SUCs).

For region 12, the PESO of Municipality of Malapatan in Sarangani was the lone nominee for the national awards. PESO Manager Anessa Maguan was among the ten nominees in the 1^st to 3^rd class municipality category.

Meanwhile, new set of national officers for term 2014-2016 took their oath of office during the congress. Vissia Marie Aldon of PESO Makati City was sworn in as national president. Jonix Paniagua of PESO Sultan Kudarat Provincial Capitol also took his oath as member of Board of Trustees.

On the third day of the congress, Senator Paolo Benigno “Bam” Aquino served as the keynote speaker where he manifested his support to all the programs of the DOLE and PESO. He also committed to help pursue the institutionalization of PESO in the LGUs. (by Allan Freno, LGU Tacurong Information)