25th National PESO Congress

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𝐑𝐄𝐀𝐃: 𝐏𝐄𝐒𝐎 𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐠𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐬 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟓 𝐡𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐥𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭𝐬 𝐞𝐱𝐜𝐞𝐥𝐥𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞, 𝐜𝐨𝐥𝐥𝐚𝐛𝐨𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧, 𝐢𝐧𝐧𝐨𝐯𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧
In celebration of the 25th National PESO Congress, the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) recognized top-performing Public Employment Service Offices (PESOs) and Job Placement Offices (JPOs) for their exemplary performance in facilitating employment, providing and analyzing labor market information, and implementing career development support and other DOLE programs during the 2024 National Search for Best PESO Awards held on 15 October 2025 in Tagaytay City.
Labor Secretary Bienvenido E. Laguesma led the awarding ceremony, commending the PESOs and JPOs for advancing the shared goal of delivering timely, reliable, efficient, and effective public employment services to workers, job seekers, students, and enterprises.
𝘊𝘭𝘪𝘤𝘬 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘭𝘪𝘯𝘬 𝘪𝘯 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘤𝘰𝘮𝘮𝘦𝘯𝘵𝘴 𝘴𝘦𝘤𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘧𝘶𝘭𝘭 𝘴𝘵𝘰𝘳𝘺.

𝐑𝐄𝐀𝐃: 𝐏𝐄𝐒𝐎 𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐠𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐬 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟓 𝐡𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐥𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭𝐬 𝐞𝐱𝐜𝐞𝐥𝐥𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞, 𝐜𝐨𝐥𝐥𝐚𝐛𝐨𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧, 𝐢𝐧𝐧𝐨𝐯𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧

In celebration of the 25th National PESO Congress, the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) recognized top-performing Public Employment Service Offices (PESOs) and Job Placement Offices (JPOs) for their exemplary performance in facilitating employment, providing and analyzing labor market information, and implementing career development support and other DOLE programs during the 2024 National Search for Best PESO Awards held on 15 October 2025 in Tagaytay City.

Labor Secretary Bienvenido E. Laguesma led the awarding ceremony, commending the PESOs and JPOs for advancing the shared goal of delivering timely, reliable, efficient, and effective public employment services to workers, job seekers, students, and enterprises.

𝘊𝘭𝘪𝘤𝘬 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘭𝘪𝘯𝘬 𝘪𝘯 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘤𝘰𝘮𝘮𝘦𝘯𝘵𝘴 𝘴𝘦𝘤𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘧𝘶𝘭𝘭 𝘴𝘵𝘰𝘳𝘺.

𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝟮𝟱𝘁𝗵 𝗡𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝗣𝗘𝗦𝗢 𝗖𝗼𝗻𝗴𝗿𝗲𝘀𝘀: 𝗪𝗮𝘆𝘀 𝗙𝗼𝗿𝘄𝗮𝗿𝗱

𝙄𝙣 𝙏𝙚𝙘𝙝-𝘿𝙧𝙞𝙫𝙚𝙣 𝙁𝙪𝙩𝙪𝙧𝙚 𝙤𝙛 𝙒𝙤𝙧𝙠, 𝙎𝙩𝙧𝙚𝙣𝙜𝙩𝙝 𝙎𝙩𝙞𝙡𝙡 𝙇𝙞𝙚𝙨 𝙞𝙣 𝙋𝙚𝙤𝙥𝙡𝙚

As the 25th National PESO Congress neared its close, newly appointed Assistant Secretary Joel M. Gonzalez delivered a powerful synthesis of the day's fruitful and productive discussions. He emphasized that even as new technologies and AI transform employment services, the DOLE and PESOs strength will always be in its people.

Asec. Gonzalez highlighted key national strategies such as the Trabaho Para sa Bayan Plan and the PESO Five-Point Agenda, aligning labor supply, demand, and governance to build a future-ready workforce. He also underscored the importance of collaboration with global partners, inclusive employment for all sectors, digital transformation, data-driven decision-making, and the responsible use of AI—enhancing efficiency while preserving ethics, empathy, and accountability.

Employment, he affirmed, is the foundation of national progress, and PESOs play a vital role in empowering workers and communities.

The path ahead calls for stronger institutions, bold innovation, and an unwavering commitment to uplift jobseekers and transform employment services—proving that even in the age of AI, people will always lead the way.

𝐑𝐄𝐂𝐀𝐏 : 💻𝐌𝐚𝐤𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐀𝐈 𝐚 𝐅𝐨𝐫𝐜𝐞 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐠𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐬 𝐢𝐧 𝐏𝐄𝐒𝐎𝐬

In the final plenary of the 25th National PESO Congress, delegates explored how Artificial Intelligence (AI) can revolutionize public employment services while upholding fairness, transparency, and inclusivity.

In her presentation, Ms. Michelle Alarcon, President of the Analytics and Artificial Intelligence Association of the Philippines, emphasized the need for strong governance and human oversight in adopting AI tools for job matching and labor market analytics.

The panel discussion, moderated by RD Raymond Fel Sajor (Region 12), featured Allan Freno (PESO Tacurong City), Josephine Osea (PESO Valenzuela City), and Ernesto H. Coloso (DOLE Region 12) who shared their experiences in developing AI-driven job portals and implementing digital transformation initiatives.

From automating job matching to reskilling workers for the future, the session highlighted how AI adoption in public employment services can make processes smarter — and opportunities more inclusive — for every Filipino.

𝐑𝐄𝐂𝐀𝐏 : 💼 𝗜𝗻𝗰𝗹𝘂𝘀𝗶𝘃𝗲 𝗘𝗺𝗽𝗹𝗼𝘆𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗕𝗲𝘆𝗼𝗻𝗱 𝗖𝗼𝗺𝗽𝗹𝗶𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗲

Still on Day 2 of the 25th National PESO Congress, delegates explored how governments and communities can champion inclusive employment for persons with disabilities (PWDs).

In his plenary presentation, Mr. Jeong-Jin Ryu, Executive Director of Employment Promotion of the Korea Employment Agency for Persons with Disabilities (KEAD), shared Korea’s strategies in building a society where persons with and without disabilities work together. From mandatory employment quotas to digital upskilling programs, he emphasized that true inclusion thrives when public and private sectors work hand in hand — and when business leaders take the lead in empowering PWDs.

The discussion was further enriched by a panel moderated by Ms. Honorina D. Baga, DOLE Regional Director, featuring Ms. Caroline Dadivas (PESO Roxas City, Capiz – Region 6), Ms. Gloria Exelza Pamugas (PESO Davao del Norte – Region 11), and Ms. Sheila B. Llasos, RGC (San Francisco Institute of Science and Technology – Region 5, JPO). They shared local initiatives and success stories that move beyond compliance — from awareness and skills training to creating workplaces that celebrate ability over disability.

Together, these insights underscored a shared commitment: to make inclusion not just a policy, but a practice that transforms lives and workplaces across the Philippines.

𝐑𝐄𝐂𝐀𝐏 : 🌍 𝗚𝗹𝗼𝗯𝗮𝗹 𝗜𝗻𝗻𝗼𝘃𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗟𝗼𝗰𝗮𝗹 𝗜𝗺𝗽𝗮𝗰𝘁

Day 2 of the25th National PESO Congress continued with Plenary Session 2: “Global Innovations in Public Employment Services: Insights from International Partners,” featuring Ms. Minako Takasaki, Project Coordinator of the World Association of Public Employment Services (WAPES).

Ms. Takasaki shared valuable insights from the Japan–WAPES Joint Project for the Philippines, emphasizing how Japan’s “Hello Work” system — a nationwide network of employment service offices — ensures consistent, high-quality support for jobseekers through strong collaboration among government, schools, and employers. These global lessons, she noted, can help strengthen the PESOs' implementation of their Five-Point Agenda.

The session was followed by a dynamic panel discussion moderated by Regional Director Imelda E. Romanillos (CAR), featuring Atty. Marla Alom (PESO Pasay, NCR), Mr. Mario Esquillo (PESO Olongapo, Region 3), Ms. Imelda Pascual (PESO Alfonso Lista, CAR), and Mr. Vincent Alcantara (University of Batangas, Region 4A).

Each shared actionable practices from their respective localities — from youth employability initiatives to digital job-matching and university-industry linkages — demonstrating how global innovations can take root in local employment ecosystems.

𝐑𝐄𝐂𝐀𝐏 : 💼 𝐓𝐫𝐚𝐛𝐚𝐡𝐨 𝐏𝐚𝐫𝐚 𝐬𝐚 𝐁𝐚𝐲𝐚𝐧, 𝐒𝐞𝐫𝐛𝐢𝐬𝐲𝐨 𝐧𝐠 𝐏𝐄𝐒𝐎 𝐩𝐚𝐫𝐚 𝐬𝐚 𝐋𝐚𝐡𝐚𝐭!

On Day 2 of the 25th National PESO Congress, delegates took a closer look at how Public Employment Service Offices (PESOs) are leading the rollout of the Trabaho Para sa Bayan Act (TPBA) — the country’s roadmap for inclusive and sustainable employment.

In his plenary presentation, Director Patrick P. Patriwirawan, Jr. of the Bureau of Local Employment (BLE) underscored the vital role of PESOs as the TPBA's implementing arms — bridging national strategies with local realities.

This was followed by an engaging panel discussion moderated by Regional Director Jason P. Balais (CARAGA), featuring PESO managers and Job Placement Officers who shared their innovative practices in strengthening employment facilitation and community partnerships: Ms. Alma Timtiman (PESO Marinduque, MIMAROPA), Mr. Kim Francisco (PESO Lapu-Lapu City, Region 7), Ms. Loyda Saboy (PESO Tabuk City, CAR), and Ms. Margie B. Janda (Zamboanga Peninsula Polytechnic State University, Region 9).

Together, these sessions highlight how PESOs continue to be at the forefront of nation-building — turning the vision of Trabaho Para sa Bayan into opportunities that uplift lives and communities across the Philippines.

𝗟𝗢𝗢𝗞: 𝗦𝘁𝗿𝗲𝗻𝗴𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗟𝗼𝗰𝗮𝗹 𝗘𝗺𝗽𝗹𝗼𝘆𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗦𝘆𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗺𝘀 𝗧𝗵𝗿𝗼𝘂𝗴𝗵 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗣𝗘𝗦𝗢 𝗚𝗲𝗻𝗲𝗿𝗮𝗹 𝗔𝘀𝘀𝗲𝗺𝗯𝗹𝘆

It’s Day 2 of the 25th National PESO Congress, and the program continues with the PESO General Assembly led by Ms. Luiningning Y. Vergara, National President of PESOMAP Inc.

The assembly gathered PESO Managers from across the country to align efforts and share updates on ongoing initiatives that strengthen employment facilitation and labor market programs.

During the session, participants discussed the PESO Five-Point Agenda and the Trabaho Para sa Bayan Plan 2025–2034, which serve as key frameworks in advancing local employment services in line with national priorities.

The program also included the PESOMAP Organizational Meeting and the Presentation of PESO Best Practices, featuring outstanding initiatives from selected PESO Managers that inspire innovation and collaboration across the network.