Zambales is Grand Slam winner as Best PESO in the Philippines

Zambales bagged the National Best Public Employment Service Office (PESO) Prize- 2nd Class Province Category for the third consecutive time.

Governor Hermogenes Ebdane Jr. and Vice Governor and PESO Manager Ramon Lacbain II received the distinction from Labor Undersecretary Rebecca Chato during the 14th National PESO Congress, which was held in General Santos City.

With this feat, Zambales is now enshrined into the Hall of Fame- the fifth in Central Luzon to do so after Bulacan, Pampanga, and the cities of Angeles and San Fernando.

“Last year, it has successfully institutionalized the PESOs of all 13 municipalities within its jurisdiction- the first province in the entire country to do so,” Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) Regional Director Ana Dione said.

It also facilitated the placement of some 2,959 applicants under the regular employment facilitation scheme, which include local employment, Special Program for the Employment of Students, Trainings, and Livelihood.

Zambales PESO was likewise cited for the establishment of Overseas Workers Welfare Administration Help Desk in all of its towns.

Meanwhile, Masinloc in Zambales took home the Best PESO- 1st to 2nd Class Municipality Category Award for the very first time.

“Masinloc PESO successfully placed 11,838 jobseekers under various employment facilitation schemes for local and overseas employment, recording an astounding 103.61 percent placement rate,” Dione shared.

Moreover, it facilitated Career Guidance and Employment Coaching to more than 2,021 secondary and graduating students and conducted Entrepreneurship Development Training to around 613 trainees and livelihood beneficiaries.

Apart from Zambales and Masinloc, DOLE bestowed the Secretary’s Award to former PESO Phil President Elizabeth Alonzo from Bulacan for her exemplary performance and accomplishments in supporting the agency’s thrusts and advocacies in employment facilitation. (PIA 3)