PICC, Pasay City
26 October 2015

President Benigno S. Aquino III graced the opening of the 15th National Public Employment Service Office (PESO) Congress at the Philippine International Convention Center (PICC) in Pasay City.

The three-day congress is anchored on the theme “Pagdaloy ng Disenteng Trabaho at Maunlad na Negosyo, Kaagapay ang PESO” and will be held from 26-28 October 2015.

“Malaki ang naiambag ng PESO para matugunan ang mga hamon sa sektor ng paggawa. Ayon nga sa datos ng DOLE, 5.66 milyon sa 8.09 milyong aplikante na dumulog sa PESO ang natulungang makahanap ng trabaho mula Hulyo ng 2010 hanggang Hunyo ng 2015. Tumaas din ang placement rate sa ilalim ng mga PESO mula 74% noong 2010 papuntang 83% sa 2014,” President Aquino said in his keynote speech.

One of the event’s highlights is the President’s signing into law of the amendments to the PESO Act which, according to Labor and Employment (DOLE) Secretary Rosalinda Baldoz, “will be historic.” She explained that the “DOLE recognizes the special role of the PESO in working for the approval of the legislative measure which will strengthen the PESO law. Our years of legislative struggle will finally have its reward.”

“Hindi na ito ‘unfunded’ na batas kagaya ng dinatnan natin. Inaasahan nga natin na dahil dito, higit pang titibay at lalakas ang 1,925 na PESO sa buong bansa. Sa ilalim ng naamyendahang PESO Act, binibigyan ng kapangyarihan ang ating mga pamahalaang lokal na maglaan ng pondo mula sa internal revenue allotment. Magkakaroon din ng posisyon para sa PESO Manager at isang Labor and Employment Officer. Umaasa nga ako na ngayong nadagdagan natin ang kakayahan ng mga LGU na tumugon sa unemployment, mas marami pa tayong kababayang mae-empleyo. Mas alam ng lokal na pamahalaan ang mga pagkakataon sa kanilang lugar, at mas madali nilang mailalapit ang ating mga Boss sa trabaho,” the Chief Executive added.

Among the salient features of the PESO Amendatory Bill are the institutionalization of PESOs in all provinces, cities and municipalities; creation of permanent plantilla positions for PESO personnel; and improved labor market information and employment facilitation service through computerized systems of monitoring, coordination and reporting.

During the three-day congress, delegates will undergo various plenary sessions focusing not only on employment facilitation but on PESO’s transformation into a multi-dimensional frontline institution, providing the Filipino people not only with employment facilitation service, but also with livelihood, labor market trends and information, training and other capability-building initiatives, and allied services in support of the government’s attainment of massive job facilitation and substantial poverty alleviation towards inclusive growth.

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