ILOILO – The municipality of Barotac Viejo was declared the grand winner in the recently held 2019 Provincial Search for Best Public Employment Service Office (PESO).
The awarding ceremony was held at Casa Real de Iloilo.
PESOs in various local government units are tasked to facilitate employment programs for Ilonggos.
Mayor Nielo Tupas of Barotac Viejo and municipal PESO manager Eva Causing received a plaque of recognition and a cash prize of P20,000.
The annual provincial search for Best PESO started in 2015.
“Human resource is the biggest part of the economy. Providing jobs and livelihood is an important part of public service,” said Gov. Arthur Defensor Jr.
For the 2019 edition, Barotac Viejo also received special awards for receiving the highest points in three out of four areas:
* registration, referral and placement
* career coaching and employment orientation advocacy program
* implementation of programs of PESO and the Department of Labor and Employment
The town was bestowed a certificate of recognition and a cash prize of P2,500 for each special award.
The PESO runners-up were the municipality of Cabatuan (P15,000); municipality of Balasan (P12,000); and City of Passi (P10,000).
They also received plaques of recognition.
Defensor lauded the provincial government PESO under Francisco Heler Jr. for effectively facilitating and attending to the needs of Ilonggos for jobs.
He also cited the PESO for helping facilitate the return of overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) displaced by the coronavirus disease pandemic./PN
