DOLE cites Celso, Barredo as top PESO reg’l performers
The Department of Labor and Employment’s (DOLE’s) regional and national offices recently named Mayor Celso Lobregat and City Social Welfare and Development Officer Francisco Barredo as Top Regional Performer in support of the promotion and delivery of the department’s employment programs in this part of the region.
The citation is the second for the city of Zamboanga under the Lobregat administration. Last year, a similar award was conferred on Lobregat and Barredo in recognition of their wholehearted and unwavering support to the promotion and delivery of DOLE’s employment programs.
The citation, signed by Labor Secretary Marianito Roque, was presented during the 9th National PESO (Public Employment Service Office) Congress held in Clark Field, Pampanga. With this, Zamboanga City is a nominee to the 2009 National Best PESO Award (highly urbanized city category).
Last Nov. 18, DOLE Regional Director Ponciano Ligutom also presented Lobregat and Barredo with a certificate of recognition and a special citation for a very effective and efficient implementation of PESO plans and programs.
The certificate of recognition is in line with the conferment of the Zambaonga PESO as the 2009 Regional Best PESO performer. The special citation was given to the city for “employing the highest number of grantees under the Special Program for the Employment of Students (SPES), thereby helping poor but deserving students pursue their education”.
The city hired a total of 3,218 students for this year’s SPES implemented last April-May with a budget allocation of P7.7 million. The SPES is a joint venture of the city government and the DOLE under Republic Act 7363 which provides that 60 percent of the students’ salaries will be paid by the city while 40 percent will be paid by the DOLE.
The two awards were presented during the Annual PESO and GCNet Assessment, Learning and Planning Sessions held from Nov. 18-19 at the Cecille’s Convention Center.
The city government through PESO has conducted series of job fairs since the start of the year where hundreds of unemployed residents of this city and nearby provinces signed up for the job vacancies in different employment agencies here and abroad. (Sheila Covarrubias)