DOLE Davao bags Best PESO awards

DAVAO CITY – The Department of Labor and Employment has awarded the Public Employment Service Offices of Davao City, Tagum City and University of Mindanao-Tagum Campus in the recently concluded 14th National PESO Congress held in General Santos City.

DOLE Secretary Rosalinda Baldoz expressed her appreciation to PESO managers and local chief executives for the continued strong partnership with the Department. “You are our partners and allies and as such, we recognize your achievements and performance as frontline conduits of the government’s employment facilitation programs and services,” she said.

DOLE Regional Director Joffrey Suyao also praised the three PESO and acknowledged the dedication of its managers in their work. “We are happy and proud that the efforts of our PESOs in the region are acknowledged as we know how dedicated they are in their work. In partnership with the local government units, our PESO and its managers are our champions of employment facilitation,” he said.

Davao city was awarded best PESO for highly urbanized city category. This is the third consecutive win of the city, elevating them Hall of Fame for the said category.

Davao City PESO manager Lilibeth Pantinople thanked the support of the local officials and private partners that allowed them to further improve their performance.

Among the strengths of Davao City PESO is its Fridays Job Fair, a weekly event that has attracted and assisted placement of thousands of applicants; and its innovative partnership with private establishments in the registry and placement of applicants.

Tagum City PESO Manager Rogeneth Llanos said this is their second consecutive win. Tagum won Best PESO for the component city category and with this year’s win, the city will vie for Hall of Fame next year.

“We are the more challenged to improve the delivery of our services and as in the past, we continue to look for innovative ways to serve better our constituents,” Llanos said.

She said, that although there is pressure, she is confident to repeat the winning performance because of the trust and support Mayor Allan Rellon.

“We are very thankful for the full support of Mayor Rellon who believed in the program and in us. He has increased our budget knowing that we are indeed helping our constituents through the various programs of the PESO. And of course for the support of the DOLE regional office,” she said.

Suyao has personally presented the recognition to Rellon and the local city officials of Davao the Best PESO trophy in a ceremonial awarding held in their respective city hall grounds. Both Davao and Tagum PESOs are institutionalized.

The University of Mindanao–Tagum City Campus bagged the Educational Institution/Non-governmental Organization/Community-based Organization category. UM bested four other nominees. In 2012, the University of Mindanao-Tagum City Campus also won the same category.

“There are many challenges in the implementation of PESO programs being-school based, but it has given us advantage particularly in the employment preparation of our students as well as in guiding incoming college students,” said University of Mindanao–Tagum City Campus PESO manager Alicia Sulayon. 

Aside from trophy, all winners received P50,000 cash. Being Hall of Fame awardee, Davao City received P100,000 cash.

The Search for the Best PESO is an annual activity that recognizes the significant contributions and outstanding accomplishments of PESOs in the implementation of DOLE employment facilitation programs.

Winners of other categories included – Region 1, Provincial PESO of Pangasinan for First Class Province category; Region 3, Provincial PESO of Zambales for Second Class Province category; Region 8, Provincial PESO of Southern Leyte for Third Class Province.

While, the 1st-2nd Class Municipality category was awarded to Region 3, PESO Masinloc, Zambales.; Region 2, PESO Cordon, Isabela won for the  3rd-4th Class Municipality category; CARAGA, PESO Tagana-an, Surigao del Norte won the 5th-6th Class Municipality category.

The country has a strong network of 1,887 established PESOs;  326 of them already institutionalized, and has assisted 1.26 million and placed 700,000 job-seekers in the first semester of the 2014.

Among the programs the PESO handles included the Skills Register System; Job Fairs, conduct of career advocacy and pre-emplyment seminar for local applicants.  (Sherwin B. Manual)