Iloilo city: The city's Public Employment Service Office (PESO) has been elevated to the Hall of Fame after securing a win for the third time as the Regional Best PESO in the Highly Urbanized Cities category at the 2025 PESO Western Visayas Congress held in San Jose de Buenavista, Antique.

According to Philippines News Agency, PESO Manager Gabriel Felix Umadhay expressed in a phone interview that the award is a significant recognition of their commitment to providing employment opportunities for every Ilonggo. Umadhay stated that the accolade reflects their office's efficiency in job provision, effectiveness in implementing Department of Labor and Employment programs, and the introduction of innovative initiatives that inspire other PESO managers to address local government unit challenges.

A notable initiative by the PESO is the use of employment badges to encourage diversity hiring, requiring employers to hire from various sectors, including persons with disabilities, LGBTQ individuals, senior citizens, out-of-school youth, undergraduates, and under-skilled graduates. This initiative aims to expand employment opportunities significantly.

Additionally, the PESO introduced an employment assistance one-stop shop, ensuring that concerned government agencies are present at job fairs. This setup allows individuals hired on the spot to process their documents promptly, enabling them to start work soon after.

Umadhay emphasized the importance of persistence in implementing these initiatives, noting that their success was not achieved overnight. Consistency and proper funding for sustainability have been crucial, along with engaging stakeholders to ensure their active participation.

The recognition grants Iloilo City PESO the opportunity to represent the region in the national awards in Tagaytay, with hopes of earning the Hall of Fame award in the national category. Furthermore, Umadhay has been elected as the president of all PESOs in Western Visayas for the 2026-2028 term.