News Release (Draft)

Department of Labor and Employment

21 October 2014

DOLE, PESOPhil to hold 14th National PESO Congress in GenSan

All systems go for the 14th National Public Employment Service Office (PESO)
Congress slated at the KCC Mall Convention & Event Center in General Santos City,
on 22-24 October.

On the eve of the event, Labor and Employment Secretary Rosalinda DimapilisBaldoz lauded the efforts of the PESOPHIL officials and its network of PESOs
nationwide for valuable allies and partners in delivering employment facilitation
services.

Since I assumed office in 2010, I have not failed to attend and participate in the
annual National PESO Congress, proof of my abiding faith and strong belief in the
Public Employment Service Office as a DOLE ally and partner in promoting
productive and decent work for all, Baldoz said, adding:

The DOLE is already looking forward to celebrate yet another successful event with
only the best and the brightest stars in the firmament on employment facilitation.

The annual PESO Congress is a venue for PESO managers to learn, exchange
ideas, and showcase best practices on employment facilitation. The awarding of the

Best PESO in the provincial, highly urbanized city, and component city categories is
one of the highlights of the annual PESO Congress.

This years theme, PESO for the ASEAN Integration, 2015 and beyond, aims to
prepare the PESOPhil Network to effectively and efficiently face the opportunities
and challenges presented by the ASEAN integration.

In today's globally-competitive economy buffeted by a constant barrage of changes

in the labor market and by drastic shifts in labor supply and demand, I truly believe
that the DOLE can only be able to successfully address such changes and
challenges if we have a strong institutional partner and supporter which is the
PESO, Baldoz said.

The congress has in its objective the development of an environment for its
component members that is conducive to strengthening the PESOs capacity to
provide valuable contributions toward productive employment facilitation; create
learning opportunities for drawing new insights for better employment services at the
grassroots level occasioned by the changing environment; and promote stronger
camaraderie and cooperation among the officers and members.

At the 3-day conference, participants will be immersed in continuous plenary

sessions showcasing the PESOs proposed roadmap to greater effectiveness,
aligned with the DOLEs Planning Tool on Decent and Productive Work, for the next
three years.

The following will be the topic of discussion for day 1: (a) Role of PESO in the
Mobility of Skilled Workers in the ASEAN Region; (b) Impacts of ASEAN Integration
to Investment and Services; and (c) Opportunities and Challenges of the ASEAN
Economic Community (AEC): the Business Perspective.

At the close of the first day, the DOLE will hold the 2013 Best PESO Awards Night,
which is the highlight of the congress.

The Search for the Best PESO is an annual activity that recognizes the significant
contribution and outstanding accomplishments of the PESOs in the implementation
of DOLE employment facilitation programs.

The second day will open with the following presentations: (a) Key Role of PESOs in
ASEAN Integration; (b) Efficient Job Matching through Improved Labor Market
Information System; (c) Enhanced Phil-JobNet Mobile Application System and Text
Messaging Facility; (d) New Generation Job Search Kiosk; (e) Online Special
Program for Employment of Students; and (f) The Growth and Opportunities in the
BPO Industry and BPO Career Hub's Virtual Solutions.

More than a hundred participants from the government, employers and workers
organizations, and civil society organization are expected to attend. The presence of
the following officials is also anticipated at the event, namely: Datu Suharto
Mangudadatu, Province of Sultan Kudarat Governor; Ronnel Rivera, General Santos
City Mayor; Marlyn B. Alonte-Naguiat, City of Bian, Laguna Mayor; Allan R. Rellon,

Tagum City Mayor; Ramon G. Lacbain II, Province of Zambales Vice-Governor; and
Emmanuel F. Esguerra, NEDA Deputy Director-General.

In this 14th National PESO Congress, we celebrate the PESOs' successes. I am

happy and proud to congratulate the PESOPHIL officials and its network of PESOs
nationwide for their sheer hard work, transforming themselves as the countrys main
employment facilitation machinery, Baldoz said.

The conduct of the PESO Congress is in line with efforts of the government to
strengthen public-private sector partnerships in the pursuit of President Benigno S.
Aquino III's overarching goal to nurture and develop the country's human resources,
push back joblessness in the grassroots, and strengthen labor and employment
facilitation in the country.

END/hjtg