T he Department of Labor and Employment-

Regional Office 1 has set in place a Rehabilitation

Program to provide relief and assist workers affected

by super typhoon Juan.

The Rehabilitation Program, which has been designed

specifically for workers in the informal sector, i.e. fish-

erfolks, farmers, and self-employed, consists of three

phases which aim to provide emergency employment,

restore means of livelihood, provide entrepreneurship

and skills trainings and working capital.

Phase 1 includes emergency employment assistance for

the period October to November 2010. The interven-

tion will facilitate the employment of affected workers

in small infrastructure projects of local government

units.

“The DOLE 1 will shoulder the wages of workers who

will be employed in the small rehabilitation infrastruc-

ture projects identified by the concerned municipalities.

The LGUs shall screen the beneficiaries of the program

which shall come from the official list of typhoon Juan

victims. The workers’ salary shall be based on the pre-

vailing hiring rate of the LGUs,” DOLE 1 Director

Henry John Jalbuena said.

Phase 2 will involve restorative efforts, as the DOLE 1

will provide tools, jigs, skills training and entrepreneu-

rial development trainings to affected workers to help

them restore their lost livelihood.

For Phase 3, a follow through program will be imple-

mented to help beneficiaries under phase 2 upgrade or

expand their livelihood projects.

“The idea is to first provide immediate relief to affected

workers by means of short-term employment, and to

help them rebuild their livelihood through long-term

interventions,” Jalbuena said.

Official reports disclose that damages in agriculture

and infrastructure in the region are estimated at P1.4

billion and P46 million, respectively. No damages in

business establishments were reported. – asv

Dole 1 Assists Workers Affected by Juan

A m on thl y Pu bl i cat i on of De p ar tm en t o f L a bo r an d E mpl o ym ent - R eg i on al Of f i ce 1

C ity of San Fernando, La Union - The Department of

Labor and Employment-Regional Coordinating Com-

mittee 1 recently convened at the DOLE-Regional Office 1

to harmonize the implementation, by DOLE offices and

attached agencies in Region 1, of Department Order No.

107-10, which prescribes the guidelines on the Single En-

try Approach (SENA) 30-day mandatory conciliation-

mediation services for all labor and employment cases.

DOLE 1 Director and DOLE-RCC Chair Henry John Jal-

buena called on the members of the body to finalize the

brass tacks of the new system and start its implementa-

tion, which aims to give life to the constitutional mandate

on the preferential use of voluntary modes of dispute set-

tlement, as laid down in Article 211 of the Labor Code.

Jalbuena said the SENA partly fulfills President Benigno

S. Aquino III’s thrust of bringing reforms in labor case

adjudication by streamlining procedures, removing red

tape, and at the same time, restoring integrity and fair-

ness in the system. (see page 5)

DOLE – RCC 1 Gears Up for SENA

All poised and ready. DOLE 1 Director and RCC 1 Chair Henry

John S. Jalbuena meet the committee members to finalize the de-

tails of the SENA 30-day mandatory conciliation-mediation for all

labor and employment cases

The month of October was a month of

many firsts for the Department of

Labor and Employment’s vision-

mission of creating globally competent

Filipino workers, decent employment,

and industrial peace based on social

justice, seen in light of President Be-

nigno S. Aquino III’s 22-point labor

and employment agenda.

Early this month, the first ever school-

based Public Employment Services

Office in La Union was established in

Lorma Colleges, Inc., City of San Fer-

nando, La Union. A week after, a

PESO was institutionalized in

Rosales, Pangasinan. Realized through strengthened coordination

between DOLE and its social partners, these feats are a headway to

the government’s goal of eradicating the perennial labor-mismatch

problem.

Alongside these efforts in employment facilitation, the Single-Entry

Approach (SENA) 30-day mandatory conciliation-mediation services

for all labor and employment cases was pilot tested in all DOLE Field

Offices with the creation of Single Entry Approach Desks. Substan-

tially, the SENA provides speedy, impartial, inexpensive and accessi-

ble settlement services for unresolved issues/complaints arising from

employer-employee relations by encouraging amicable settlement

between parties. The system will be further institutionalized in

DOLE attached agencies, i.e. National Labor Relations Commission,

National Conciliation and Mediation Board, Philippine Overseas

Employment Administration, Overseas Workers Welfare Administra-

tion, Regional Tripartite Wages and Productivity Board, Professional

Regulation Commission, and Technical Education and Skills Develop-

ment Authority. The SENA is one of the labor reforms contemplated

by the Department to restore integrity and fairness in the system.

Consistent with this, we have made accessible, through our website,

the status of pending cases enrolled under the Speedy and Effective

Disposition of Labor Cases (SPEED2) for the concerned parties or the

public to be well-informed.

Partly fulfilling our commitment to work with the private and labor

sector to strengthen tripartite cooperation and promote industrial

peace, the first ever Basic Occupational Safety and Health (BOSH)

Training in Ilocos Norte was held in the third week of this month at

the Asian Garden Grill and Restaurant, Laoag City. The support of

various delegations from different industries in the said province, as

well as others from the whole region, to the OSH program is a key

towards elevating the standards of safety and health in the work-

place.

A leap from its mandate, the DOLE 1 was apt to assist workers in the

informal sector affected by typhoon Juan through a 3-phase Rehabili-

tation Program. Phase 1, which also gives life to the marching order

of the President to revive the Emergency Community Employment

Program, consisted of emergency employment in local government

unit infrastructure projects. Phase 2 involves restorative efforts, like

provision of tools, jigs, skills training and entrepreneurial develop-

ment trainings to affected workers to help them restore their lost

livelihood. Phase 3 is a follow through program to help beneficiaries

under phase 2 upgrade or expand their livelihood projects.

A month’s worth of public service has put us a step closer towards

concretizing our commitment with the President’s labor reform

agenda. In the days to come, our valued clients can expect greater

services as we strengthen tripartite cooperation, improve systems,

formulate action programs, align our labor policies with international

standards and open our communication channels with the public in

order to deliver fully our mandate.

Editorial Board Dir. Henry John S. Jalbuena

Editorial Technical Consultant

Arly Sta. Ana-Valdez

Editor-In-Chief

Contributors:

Jeridee C. Orate

Agnes B. Aguinaldo

Fredderick L. Gaerlan

Rommel Ioannis E. Mendoza

Violeta J. Buenaventura

Mary Aurea de Jesus

Leonavella S. Dadiz

Layout and Design:

Jennelyn S. Malong

1 DOLE Gazette is the official monthly publication of the Depart-

ment of Labor and Employment-Regional Office 1, with address at

the Arnel Bldg., Mabini St., Catbangen, City of San Fernando, La

Union. Contact Details: (072)7002520; 7004371; 2421753; fax:

(072)6078114;email add: dole_ro1@yahoo.com; web-

site:ro1.dole.gov.ph

The title is a play of the Department’s name and the numeral

number 1.

The numeral number 1 signifies Region 1 and oneness of the

DOLE Regional Office 1 and its attached agencies in program

implementation.

Normally, the acronym DOLE 1 is used. However, as this newslet-

ter debuts at the dawn of a new administration’s strengthened

coherent policy and program complementation under a 22-point

labor platform, we deem it more emphatic to affix the number 1

before DOLE to represent both purposes.

THE REGIONAL DIRECTOR’S CORNER THE REGIONAL DIRECTOR’S CORNER THE REGIONAL DIRECTOR’S CORNER

PAG E 2 1 DOL E GAZ ETTE

What’s Inside

Editorial BoardEditorial Board

Ilocos Norte Firms Support DOLE’s OSH

OWWA Names Model OFW Families in Region 1OWWA Names Model OFW Families in Region 1 44

New Officials Head DOLE 1 INFOR and IMSDNew Officials Head DOLE 1 INFOR and IMSD 55

DOLE 1, Lorma Colleges, Inc. ink PESO agreementDOLE 1, Lorma Colleges, Inc. ink PESO agreement 6

Calendar of ActivitiesCalendar of Activities

The Regional Director’s CornerThe Regional Director’s Corner 2

DOLEDOLE——RCC 1 Gears Up for SENARCC 1 Gears Up for SENA

About the TitleAbout the TitleAbout the Title

DOLE 1 Assists Workers Affected by Juan DOLE 1 Assists Workers Affected by Juan

About the TitleAbout the Title

DOLE 1 Institutionalizes Rosales PesoDOLE 1 Institutionalizes Rosales Peso 33

L aoag City (Ilocos Norte) - Representatives of construction firms,

manufacturing/industrial companies, hospitals and manpower

service providers from the province of Ilocos Norte attended the first

ever Basic

Occupational

Safety and

H e a l t h

(BOSH) Train-

ing on October

18-22 held at

the Asian Gar-

den Grill and

R e s t a u r a n t

located in this

City.

The five-day

training was

conducted by

the Depart-

ment of Labor and Employment-Ilocos Norte Field Office in partner-

ship with the PEME Consultancy, Inc., an accredited safety training

organization of the DOLE Bureau of Working Condition, and the

Laoag City Ilocos Norte Association of Constructors (LINAC) as a

strategy to institutionalize the DOLE’s OSH program in establish-

ments by building the capacities of qualified personnel to carry out

occupational safety and health standards at the plant level.

“This collaborative effort of the DOLE and various partners from

the private sector translates into action the President’s marching

order of elevating the standards of safety and health in the work-

place to achieve better productivity and profitability,” DOLE 1 Di-

rector Henry John Jalbuena said.

He said, with the conduct of another BOSH training, the govern-

ment is moving closer toward its goal of obtaining broader support

from tripartite partners to its OSH program.

Citing latest official data from the International Labor Organiza-

tion, Jalbuena said that an average of 6,000 people die everyday,

equivalent to one every 15 seconds, due to work connected ailments

or injuries.

He said for the past five years, a total of 13,886 work-related acci-

dents, manufacturing industry being the highest with 5,843, have

been recorded.

“Accidents at the workplace can be prevented, or at least lessened,

by enabling companies to be OSH compliant,” Jalbuena said.

As an offshoot of the training, the representatives of the participat-

ing establishments crafted their respective OSH re-entry plans.

The implementation of these plans will be monitored and evaluated

by the Occupational Safety and Health Center and the DOLE 1. –

asv w/ report from Ilocos Norte Field Office

PAG E 3 1 DOL E GAZ ETTE

Based on the PESO Act’s implementing guidelines, an insti-

tutionalized PESO is in existence by virtue of a Sanggunian

Resolution/Ordinance provided with regular plantilla for staff

and appropriate funds.

In the case of the Municipality of Rosales, the PESO was institu-

tionalized after its Sangguniang Bayan passed SB Ordinance

numbers 3 and 4, respectively creating a PESO and the position

of Labor and Employment Officer III to serve as the PESO man-

ager.– asv w/ report from DOLE-Rosales Field Office

R osales, Pangasinan – The Department of Labor and

Employment-Regional Office 1 has institutionalized

here on October 18 an LGU-based Public Employment Ser-

vices Office, strengthening further long-time partnership

between the Department and the municipal government of

Rosales in the area of employment generation and facilita-

tion.

Happening on the occasion of DOLE-Regional Coordinating

Committee 1 meeting at the DOLE-Rosales Field Office, the

signing of Memorandum of Agreement between Mayor Ri-

cardo V. Revita and Director Henry John S. Jalbuena offi-

cially sealed the commitment of the two entities in promot-

ing gainful employment and in addressing the perennial

problem of job mismatch.

“This milestone is in keeping with President Benigno S.

Aquino’s thrust of creating local job opportunities by facili-

tating exchange of labor market information at all levels,

and with the marching order of Labor Secretary Rosalinda

Dimapilis-Baldoz to intensify public-private partnership as

strategy to solve the labor-mismatch problem,” Jalbuena

said.

According to Jalbuena, their office is committed, under

President Aquino’s 22-point labor and employment agenda,

to establish or institutionalize PESOs in key cities and mu-

nicipalities, as it puts premium on the country’s top re-

source, human resource, to make Filipino workers more

competitive and employable while promoting industrial

peace based on social justice.

DOLE 1 Institutionalizes Rosales PESO

DOLE 1 Director Henry John S. Jalbuena (right) and Rosales Mayor Ricardo Revita shake hands after sign-

ing the MOA institutionalizing the municipal PESO.

Ilocos Norte Firms Support DOLE’s OSH Program

OWWA Names Model OFW Families in Region IOWWA Names Model OFW Families in Region I

A dministrator Carmelita S. Dimzon of the Overseas

Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) an-

nounced, on October 4, 2010, the awardees for Model

OFW Family (land-based) and for Model OFW Family (sea

-based) for 2010 in Region I.

The awardees are the families of Mr. CECILIO GAMIT

RAHON, SR. (sea-based) and MANUEL PRESTO

CABRERA (land-based).

Administrator Dimzon made the announcement after

OWWA RWO I OIC ESPERANZA C. COBARRUBIAS

formally submitted the choice of an independent panel of

judges. The panel reviewed the nominations, verified the

qualifications of nominees, and selected the awardees

based on criteria. The screening and selection committee

was composed of the representatives from the TESDA,

POEA, DFA, OWWA, Diocese of San Fernando, La Union,

and headed by the DOLE.

The model OFW families, Dimzon said, deserve acknowl-

edgement for wholesomeness as an OFW family, civic and

community involvement, success in children’s or family

members’ education, and success in managing family fi-

nances in savings or investments.

The RAHON and CABRERA families received, on October

5, their trophies, certificates, prizes, and recognition from

Deputy Administrator Delmer R. Cruz during the award-

ing ceremonies at The Event Center, SM Rosales Pangasi-

nan.

As a young man, OFW Cecilio, now 74 years old, already

possessed the qualities of a hard working man. He worked

as Mess Boy to 3rd Engineer of Sea King in Chittagong

City, Bangladesh. In his work, he developed the enduring

qualities of courage and industry. These qualities also

proved romantically useful for the young Cecilio, as these

enamored his wife, Esther E. Rahon.

Esther, 63 years old, is a very supportive wife. She pa-

tiently raised their six children during the long absence of

her husband, and worked as persistently to support their

family, especially in a place like Manila. They won the

trust and confidence of the employer of Mrs. Rahon, who

entrusted to them their house when they migrated to

America. With their love and support to each other, their

children were able to pursue their education.

In his free time, Cecilio also pursued his studies.

When the couple and their young children moved to Pinili,

Ilocos Norte, Cecilio was recommended to take the exami-

nation for Seaman of Marina Shipping Lines. Lucky

enough, he joined the company International Routes. His

training from the San Miguel Lines made him an excel-

lent Seaman.

To provide a good life for their family, Cecilio braved the

seas while his wife took care of their children. Husband

and wife shared in the responsibilities of rearing their chil-

dren and managing their resources. Esther, though from

Sorsogon, soon learned the Ilocano trait of being thrifty,

which paid off, because the couple was able to buy parcels

of land despite their sundry expenses.

Just like other couples, Cecilio and Esther also went

through rough times. Once, bad elements took from them

valuables like television set, their harvest of garlic and

groceries. But their strong faith in the Lord gave them

strength to continue.

The couple’s strong sense of responsibility has been passed

on to their children who, at young age, learned to balance

household or field work and education. Esther recounts

how she always felt pride going up the stage to pin the

awards received by her children for excelling in school.

When their older children were employed, they committed

themselves to help their younger siblings in their school-

ing. Some of them have their respective families now.

When the time came for Cecilio to retire, he found good

quality and ample time to be with his wife, children and

farm work. He continues to raise cattle, carabao and goats.

He was also able to set up a rice mill.

Cecilio is also an active member of the following Pinili-

based organizations: Zanjera Pinili, Senior Citizen, and

Couples for Christ.

The 62-year-old Mr. Manuel P. Cabrera started out as a

teacher before he became an OFW in London, England,

and later on, a politician.

He is married to Rosita T. Borromeo, a Midwifery graduate

at Marian Colleges in Manila. As an OFW, she worked as

a chambermaid, assistant housekeeper and nursing auxil-

iary in England. She is now managing the family business,

Jackville Rice Mill located in Mangaldan, Pangasinan.

Manuel and Rosita have 3 children. The eldest, Marvin B.

Cabrera, is a working student at the Greenwich Univer-

sity, London, England. He and his wife Gina Mae are both

based in London.

The second child, Manuel B. Cabrera Jr., was born with a

physical disability. He finished secondary education at

Gobowen College for the disabled. Notwithstanding his

physical disability, Manuel Jr. is able to help in their farm

and rice mill. He is touted as the “lucky charm” of the

family.

Roma B. Cabrera, the only daughter, finished her BS Psy-

chology course at the Saint Louis University, Baguio City,

and went on to pursue higher studies at the Institute of

Psychiatry, King’s College, London. At present, (see page 5)

RCC UpdatesRCC Updates

PAG E 4 1 DOL E GAZ ETTE

“The very essence of SENA is to prevent labor and employ-

ment issues between and among workers and employers from

ripening into full-blown labor cases by encouraging the ami-

cable settlement of these issues,” Jalbuena explained.

Earlier, Labor Chief Rosalinda Dimapilis-Baldoz declared:

“The 30-day mandatory conciliation-mediation system is the

way to go towards industry self-regulation and “de-

judicialization”. It will lessen government intervention, de-

clog case dockets, and equip ITCs with capability to amicably,

peacefully, and speedily settle labor disputes, thus, avoiding

expensive litigation that could erupt into all-out, debilitating

strikes and lock-outs that benefit no one.”

The SENA 30-day mandatory conciliation-mediation is appli-

cable to cases falling under the administrative and quasi-

judicial functions of all DOLE offices and attached agencies,

in particular: 1) termination or suspension of employment

issues; 2) claims for any sum of money, regardless of amount;

3) intra-union and inter-union issues, after exhaustion of

administrative remedies; 4) unfair labor practice (ULP); 5)

closures, retrenchments, redundancies, temporary lay-offs; 6)

OFW cases; and 7) any other claims arising from employer-

employee relationship.

Jalbuena said, in case the parties fail to reach an agreement

within the prescribed period, the unresolved issues shall be

referred to the appropriate agency which has jurisdiction over

the dispute, or if both parties agree, to voluntary arbitration.

asv

she works as Independent Mental Capacity Advocate with the

IMCA Team in London.

In terms of Community Involvement, Manuel organized medical

missions in the barangay; organized sports tournament like bike

racing, basketball and other ballgames both for the youth and

adults; gift-giving to his indigent constituents, and sponsoring of

prizes during Pa-Bingo Socials.

As President of the Kalikasan IPM Farmers Federation, he initi-

ated a livelihood project called Mushroom Culture Demo, where

seeds were distributed to the farmers.

Manuel owns the following businesses: Roseman Apartments lo-

cated at Malabago, Mangaldan, Pangasinan; Juan A. Cabrera

Village, a new residential development also located in Malabago;

Jackville Rice Mill and M. Cabrera’s Farm located at Pugaro,

Manaoag, Pangasinan.

He held positions as officer and member in various socio, civic and

religious organizations, such as Farmers Association, Mangaldan

IPM Farmers Federation, Pangasinan Provincial IPM Kasakalika-

san Federation, Holy Name Society, Parish Pastoral Council St.

Thomas Aquinas, Malabago Mangaldan Multi-Purpose Coopera-

tive, Malabago Barangay Pastoral Council, Mangaldan Federation

of NGOs, Punong Barangay Malabago Mangaldan. At present, he

is a Municipal Councilor of Mangaldan, Pangasinan.

The Rahon and Cabrera families qualify for the national Model

OFW Family of the Year Award 2010. The national awardees will

be chosen from 17 regional MOFYA (sea-based) and 17 regional

MOFYA (land-based) candidates.

President Benigno S. Aquino III has been invited to preside over

the national MOFYA awarding ceremony in December 2010. The

sponsors in Region I for the 2010 MOFYA are Globe Telecom,

Banco de Oro, and SM Rosales. - owwa

PAG E 5 1 DOL E GAZ ETTE

New officials Head DOLE 1 INFO and IMSD

T he Department of Labor and Employment-

Regional Office 1’s Ilocos Norte Field

Office and Internal Management Services

Division has new heads in the person of

Engracio “Bong” Q. Bailon and Veronica

“Vecs” A. Corsino.

By virtue of Office Order No. 20, se-

ries of 2010, Bailon, Chief Adminis-

trative Officer and former IMSD

Chief, assumed post on September

23, 2010, a day before the last report-

ing day of DOLE-INFO’s former pro-

vincial chief, Atty. Querubin P.

Valentin. Valentin, who already

reached the compulsory retirement age

of 65 smoothly passed on the buck to

Bailon in simple rites held at the DOLE-

INFO.

Having been in the Department for 27 years,

Bailon’s stint in DOLE includes comprehensive experience

in handling administrative concerns, labor relations and

labor standards, developmental programs such as liveli-

hood, and provincial operations.

Foremost, Bailon is an Administrative

Officer, but before becoming such, he

was first a Project Evaluation Officer

and a Supervising Labor and Em-

ployment Officer at the DOLE 1’s

now-defunct Workers Amelioration

and Welfare Division. For more or

less than a year in each assign-

ment, he had a chance to head the

Labor Relations Division, Dagupan

Field Office, La Union Field Office

and the Technical Services Support

Division.

On even date, Ms. Veronica A. Corsino,

Senior Labor and Employment Officer,

also took over the Internal Management

Services Division as the Officer-In-Charge.

In her 14 years in the Department, Corsino worked her

way up from Senior Clerk to her present post. Her exem-

plary performance and competence in all positions she

held have effortlessly obtained the confidence of manage-

ment in her ability to manage the affairs of the IMSD. -

asv w/ report from Ilocos Norte Field Office OWWA… from page 4

SENA… from page 1

4 Launching of Barangay Bagsakan Project,

Magsingal, Ilocos Sur

8 Board Meeting for the Two-tiered Wage

Fixing System, RTWPB, City of San Fernando,

La Union

DOLE-Regional Coordinating Committee 1

Meeting on the Single Entry Approach, DOLE 1

Conference Room,City of San Fernando, La Union

10 Employment Pre-summit Sectoral Consultation

(Labor Sector), College of Saint Benilde, Manila

10-12 43rd National Industrial Safety Convention,

Subic Bay Travelers Hotel, Olongapo City

11 Employment Pre-summit Sectoral Consultation

(Management Sector), College of Saint

Benilde, Manila

3rd National Conference on the Labor Standards

Enforcement Program, Grand Regal Hotel,

Davao City

15-16 Orientation and Hands-on Training on Statistical

Performance Rating System

16-19 Inspection of boiler of Team Energy, Sual,

Pangasinan

22-23 Regional Visit of Bureau of Labor and Employ-

ment Statistics staff

25-26 Multi-partite Workshop for the National

Employment Summit

Calendar of ActivitiesCalendar of ActivitiesCalendar of Activities

November 2010November 2010November 2010

OCT OBER 2010 1 DOL E GAZ ETTE

DOLE 1, Lorma Colleges, Inc. ink PESO agreement

DOLE 1 Director Henry John S. Jalbuena (left) and Lorma

Colleges, Inc. Executive Director Jose P. Mainggang sign the MOA

which lay down the basis for the creation of the school-based

PESO. Back, left to right: Fiorello B. Surell, Head of the DOLE La

Union Field Office, Teresa N. Bonavente, DOLE Supervising Labor

and Employment Officer, and Carmen Jo-an Viloria, Lorma

Human Resource Manager, witness the signing of the agreement..

T he first school-based Public Employment Services

Office in the province of La Union, and the second

in region 1, has been established recently after De-

partment of Labor and Employment-Region 1 Director

Henry John S. Jalbuena signed a Memorandum of

Agreement with Lorma Colleges, Inc., Executive Di-

rector Jose P. Mainggang.

Jalbuena said that this latest development is in har-

mony with President Benigno S. Aquino III’s 22-point

labor and employment policy agenda which seeks to

address the labor-mismatch problem through better

and strengthened coordination among various social

players.

He said the presence of the PESO within the school

will facilitate the registration of its college graduates

in the Skills Registry System (SRS), which was

launched by President Aquino at the opening of the

10th National PESO Congress held from October 5-7

in Tagaytay City.

The SRS will capture the available skills and qualifi-

cations of jobseekers in a national registry which will

be posted in the PhilJobnet, the country’s official job

portal, where employers can easily find the needed

manpower for their industries.

“For years now, the Lorma Colleges, Inc. has been an

active partner of the DOLE in carrying out its man-

date of achieving full, decent and productive employ-

ment. It has already hosted several job fairs, and as

an academic institution, it continually strives to be a

center of excellence in the north, especially in its

medicine-related courses,” Jalbuena said.

As outlined in the agreement, the Lorma Colleges,

Inc. will provide office space, equipment and supplies

for the operation of the PESO; appoint/designate a full

-time PESO manager and other personnel to manage,

operate and maintain the PESO; maintain an up-to-

date Manpower Registry and Skills Profile of its col-

lege graduates; and submit to the DOLE-RO 1

monthly accomplishment reports.

The DOLE-RO 1, for its part, will provide technical

assistance, training services and other related assis-

tance necessary to enhance the operational capacity of

the school-based PESO in its employment facilitation

services.

“So far, our office has already established 125 munici-

pal, 4 provincial and 2 school-based PESOs, or a total

of 131. The establishment and institutionalization of

PESOs is one of our strategies to assist jobseekers in

their search for the right job and to promote employ

ment,” Jalbuena said. – asv