THE Iloilo Provincial Government, through the Public Employment Service Office (Peso), recognized the exemplary performance of municipalities in the facilitation of employment programs for Ilonggos during the 2019 Provincial Search for Best Peso on December 10 at Casa Real de Iloilo.
The municipality of Barotac Viejo was adjudged as grand winner after garnering the highest total points in four categories, namely, registration, referral and placement, labor market information, career coaching and employment orientation advocacy program, and implementation of programs of Peso and the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE).
Mayor Nielo Tupas and municipal Peso manager Eva Causing received the plaque of recognition and a cash prize of P20,000.
Barotac Viejo also received special awards for receiving the highest points in three out of the four categories. The town received a certificate of recognition and a cash prize of P2,500 for each special award.
The runners-up include the municipality of Cabatuan, which received P15,000; municipality of Balasan with P12,000; and City of Passi with P10,000 cash prize. They also received a plaque of recognition.
Governor Arthur Defensor Jr. lauded Peso under the leadership of its chief, Francisco Heler Jr., in effectively facilitating and attending to the needs of Ilonggos for jobs.
He also noted the role played by Peso in helping facilitate the return of overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) in time of the Covid-19 pandemic.
“Human resource is the biggest part of the economy. Providing jobs and livelihood is an important part of public service,” the governor said.
The Provincial Search for Best Peso recognizes the significant contribution and outstanding accomplishments of the municipal Pesos in the implementation of DOLE- and Peso-initiated programs and services at the grassroots level.
The search was launched in 2015 and has served as a major mechanism to challenge LGUs to institutionalize their municipal Pesos.
Also present during the awarding ceremony were DOLE provincial director Joselito Dela Banda, Board Member Rolando Distura, and Provincial Administrator Suzette Mamon. (PR)