Over 2 Million Jobseekers Helped by PESOs

The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) has reported that in 2022, its Public Employment Service Offices (PESOs) played a crucial role in assisting over 2.4 million job seekers in finding employment, marking a significant increase from the previous year.

PESOs achieved an impressive 91% placement rate in 2022, representing a remarkable leap from the 6% placement rate in 2021.

PESOs are community-based offices operated by local government units (LGUs) in collaboration with state universities and colleges. Their primary mission is to ensure the efficient delivery of employment services.

DOLE Secretary Bienvenido Laguesma praised the efforts of LGUs and PESOs for their contribution to helping jobseekers secure employment and facilitating the government’s labor and employment objectives.

Laguesma also outlined a comprehensive five-point agenda aimed at enhancing public employment services, which includes:

• Institutionalizing PESOs
• Providing comprehensive capacity development for PESO officers and staff
• Strengthening the core functions of PESOs
• Establishing stronger partnerships with employers and educational institutions
• Implementing digitization in public employment services

To ensure the continued support of jobseekers, an amended PESO Law mandates the institutionalization and implementation of computerized systems to enhance labor market information and employment facilitation services.

Notably, out of 1,592 LGU-based PESOs, only 643 have been institutionalized. (ASC)