October 26, 2022, CLARK, Pampanga - Public Employment Service Offices (PESOs) from Central Luzon were hailed as ‘best’ in their respective categories during the 22nd National PESO Congress held on October 25-27, 2022 at the SMX Convention Center, Clark, Pampanga.

According to DOLE-III Assistant Regional Director Alex Inza Cruz, the region submitted nine entries for the 2021 Secretary’s Bayanihan Service Awards (BSA). “We have submitted more entries this year compared to only six last year. Bagging four awards for Region 3 is even made more special because we are the host region for this year’s congress,” he said.

PESO Pampanga and two of the eight Hall of Famer nominees were honored and at the same time, bestowed the first-ever PESO Excellence Award, the highest recognition of the BSA. Together with PESO Tagum City and PESO Angono, the three PESOs are considered ‘centers of excellence’ for their innovative, resilient, and humanitarian activities implemented in 2020 and 2021.

In an interview, Pampanga PESO Manager and incoming PESO Managers Association of the Philippines (PESO-MAP) president Luningning Vergara expressed her gratitude to DOLE for the huge opportunities provided for Kapampangans. “This recognition goes to the harmonious collaboration of PESO, DOLE, and other non-government organizations including the private sector. Hats off to everyone who contributed to the fulfillment of our duty to serve,” Vergara said. 

Meanwhile, PESO Baliuag in Bulacan also bested nine other nominees under the 1st and 2nd Class Municipality category.

PESO Aurora and PESO Marinduque also stood out in the 3rd to 5th Class Province category while four municipalities were hailed as winners in the 3rd-4th Class Municipality category. These are PESO Llanera, Nueva Ecija; PESO Balungao, Pangasinan; PESO Jimenez, Misamis Occidental; and PESO Magsaysay, Davao Del Sur.

For the Choice of the Press award, only nine, including PESO Pampanga and PESO San Jose Del Monte, Bulacan, advanced as finalists out of the 57 entries received. The final winners as judged and screened by media partners are: PESO Sanchez Mira, Cagayan (1st place), PESO Marinduque (2nd place) and Tacurong City PESO (3rd place). 

Also under the same category, PESO Baliuag, Bulacan, PESO Pateros, and PESO Davao del Sur received a special citation for their videos with ‘excellent’ cinematography and visual effects.

DOLE-III Regional Director Geraldine Panlilio congratulated all PESOs in Region 3 for another ‘productive’ year. “I am continually inspired by the level of dedication and work standards of PESOs here in Central Luzon. Them being recognized on a national scale is one thing, but  them being an inspiration to all public servants is another,” Panlilio mentioned. 

Other awardees are PESO Davao City and Iloilo City for Highly Urbanized City category; PESO Davao Del Sur for the 1st Class Province category; PESO Lanao Del Norte and Surigao Del Norte for 2nd Class Province; PESO Ilagan City and Biñan City for Component and Independent Component City; PESO Catarman, Camiguin for 5th-6th Class Municipality; and lastly, the University of Batangas as the best Job Placement Office which was also elevated as a PESO Hall of Fame awardee. 

Aside from PESOs, Labor Secretary Bienvenido Laguesma also awarded a plaque of appreciation to the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) for its ‘unwavering support’ in the promotion of DOLE and PESO programs. Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) likewise received an appreciation for its ‘steadfast dedication and commitment’ in professionalizing PESOs. 

The winning PESOs of the 2021 Bayanihan Service Awards received a trophy and P100,000 each, while a consolation prize of P20,000 each was awarded to the rest of the qualified entries.

In his congratulatory message, Bureau of Local Employment (BLE) OIC-Director Patrick Patriwirawan, Jr. recognized the ‘brave steps’ taken by PESOs to reach and help many pandemic-hit Filipinos. “The real winners tonight are the people who we serve,” he mentioned.

The Bayanihan Service Awards took the place of the Search for Best PESO since the latter was suspended from 2020 to 2021 due to the pandemic. In 2023, the Search for Best PESO shall return according to BLE.##

END/ A. Cunanan