Emphasizing the highly significant role of the Public Employment Service Office (PESO) as the primary implementing arm of the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) for all of its employment-bridging programs, DOLE personnel, PESO managers, and some staff of the department gathered together for the second regional DOLE-PESO Year-End Performance Assessment (YEPA) held at the Citystate Asturias Hotel, Brgy. Tiniguiban, Puerto Princesa City, Palawan on February 13 to 15, 2024.

The YEPA unfolded with the holding of the 1st Quarter PESO Mimaropa Federation Officers’ Meeting presided by its President, Cinderella S. Palomar. Updates on the Institutionalization of the Public Employment Service Office and Implementation of the Special Program for the Employment of Students (SPES), Government Internship Program (GIP), and Tulong Pangkabuhayan sa Ating Disadvantaged (TUPAD) Workers were among the agenda of the meeting.

During the opening program, DOLE regional director Naomi Lyn C. Abellana commended the PESOs for achieving a 201% increase in SPES beneficiaries from the 2021 baseline or 2,700 beneficiaries for 2023; a 91% placement rate of qualified jobseekers or 88,614 placed out of 97,058 jobseekers referred; 1,189 registered establishments with 19,542 registered applicants under the Public Employment Information System or PEIS.

She also mentioned the assistance to reach the 1,268 individuals and 20 workers’ associations provided livelihood grants and in the provision of employment through the TUPAD to more than 98,000 beneficiaries or almost P436 million pay-out.

“Maraming salamat po sa mga local government units/local chief executives sa inyong walang humpay na suporta at sa ating mga PESO sa inyong ulirang pagganap sa inyong tungkulin at walang patid na paghahangad na magbigay ng disenteng trabaho sa ating mga kababayan,” Abellana expressed.

Unit head engr. Charity R. Cabral further presented the individual accomplishments of PESOs giving impact to the best practices of each office.

On the second day, a refresher on the National Skills Registry Program (NSRP) was carried out through NSRP focal Kim Baña followed by the planning exercise and commitment setting wherein each PESO was required to map out their strategic work and financial plans for this year. The planning session was another important part of the activity as it aimed to ensure the unhampered delivery of targets in accordance with existing policies.

Recognizing the exemplary contributions of PESOs, the awards night which was considered the most anticipated part of the event, which took place on February 14. Several PESOs were awarded on their outstanding performance.

Assistant regional director Nicanor V. Bon extended his congratulations to the winners for their impactful accomplishments and even encouraged all to continue to be a helping hand while taking the special responsibility of improving people’s lives through DOLE and PESO services. (DOLE)