A total of 799 local government units (LGUs) nationwide, or 46.59 percent, have institutionalized Public Employment Service Offices (PESOs), bringing job opportunities closer to communities.
In a statement Monday, the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) said of the 799 LGUs, 60 are provinces, 116 are cities, and 623 are municipalities.
Meanwhile, the DILG said 401 LGUs have established PESOs through executive orders, covering 12 provinces, 13 cities, and 376 municipalities.
The department also lauded more than 1,200 LGUs for setting up PESOs, noting that these offices help guide jobseekers, connect them with employers, and provide real employment opportunities.
“For families, that means a steadier income. For communities, it means more people moving forward,” it said.
PESOs are non-fee charging, multi-dimensional employment service facilities established by LGUs in coordination with the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE). They offer job matching, labor market information and access to employment programs, ensuring services reach even grassroots communities.
The DILG said PESOs are already making a significant impact across the country.
In Iloilo City, the PESO has earned Hall of Fame recognition at the National PESO Congress after topping the highly urbanized city category for three consecutive years. It facilitates employment for at least 30,000 individuals annually, with a 94-percent success rate.
The Province of Antique was likewise recognized as National Best PESO under the Second-Class Province Category, reflecting its consistent and effective delivery of employment services.
Makati City’s PESO has also been recognized for its IT-based skills registry system, which helps match jobseekers with appropriate opportunities while addressing skills gaps.
The DILG called on remaining LGUs to establish their own PESOs to further strengthen local job facilitation and make employment matching faster and more efficient.
The initiative supports the directive of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. to prioritize long-term employment strategies that create sustainable and meaningful opportunities. (PNA)
