Iloilo: Iloilo City's Public Employment Service Office (PESO) joined the roster of excellent PESOs in the country in a recognition conferred on Wednesday evening. During the awarding ceremony of the National PESO Congress, Iloilo City PESO, for the third time, won the highly urbanized category, earning it the Hall of Fame award.
According to Philippines News Agency, PESO manager Gabriel Felix Umadhay expressed that this achievement signifies the office's outstanding performance and status with the Department of Labor and Employment. He highlighted that Iloilo City met the five criteria required to be declared as Best PESO, which include referral and placement, labor market analysis (LMA), career guidance, awards, and innovation.
Umadhay elaborated on the office's success in referral and placement, noting that they provide employment to at least 30,000 individuals annually, achieving a success rate of 94 percent. Furthermore, the office conducts labor market analysis by supplying schools, the business community, and investors with available resources, manpower, talent, and career opportunities.
The office also conducts school visits for career guidance, encouraging students to pursue relevant courses to ensure they are well-prepared for their career paths. Umadhay emphasized that the office's 33 programs are tailored to meet the needs of diverse clients, including persons with disabilities, the elderly, out-of-school youth, LGBTQ+, and underprivileged sectors.
"Our goal is for the whole region to capture our practice and have them localized," Umadhay stated, acknowledging that most workers in Iloilo City are from other areas. He expressed hope that other local government units could extend similar support and protection to their workers.
The recognition brought a PHP200,000 cash prize for the office and PHP10 million for the Department of Labor and Employment's emergency employment program. While Iloilo City can no longer participate in the Best PESO competition, it will prepare for the Excellence Award, which will commence once 25 LGUs are enlisted in the Hall of Fame. Currently, there are 21, including Iloilo City.
