Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello III has urged more local government units (LGUs) to create a Public Employment Service Office (PESO) to boost the government’s job generation initiatives.

Bello made the call at the opening of the three-day 19th National PESO Congress held at the SMX Convention Center Bacolod.

“A congress like this is needed to underscore the need to strengthen the tie-up between the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) and our local governments,” the labor chief said in a press briefing.

Bello said the LGUs through the PESOs generate information on areas such as job matching and employment opportunities.

“We need the help of local chief executives in jobs generation,” he said, adding that at least 20 percent of jobs in the country are generated through the PESOs.

Bello said only a few local governments have their own employment office since others are still unaware of the value of creating a PESO.

“Mostly, it is the highly-urbanized cities that have their own,” he said.

Bello said opening a local employment office is the dual responsibility of the LGU and the DOLE.

“The local government should put up an office. Whenever we have programs, we prioritize those who have their own PESO,” he added.

During the congress, among the discussions are the engagement of PESO and other inter-agency efforts relative to the transitioning of workers in the Philippine transportation industry caused by the ongoing transport modernization.

Also included is the session on the partnership between the job placement officers and PESOs in facilitating jobseekers towards gainful and decent employment through relevant and timely labor market information, and in utilizing career guidance and employment coaching as an effective tool in addressing job-skill mismatch.

This year’s gathering, themed “Sa PESO may Disenteng Trabaho ang Bawat Pilipino”, gathered some 1,500 participants from PESO offices across the country. (PNA)