Malay, Aklan – The Public Employment Service Offices (PESOs) of Barotac Viejo, Oton, Passi City, and Iloilo City were named this year as regional grand winners of the Secretary’s PESO Bayanihan Service Award given by the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) during the 5th Regional PESO Congress held at Boracay Island on September 20-22.
Barotac Viejo won the 3rd Class Municipality Category, Oton for 1st Class Municipality Category, Passi City for Component City Category, and Iloilo City for Highly Urbanized City Category.
Regional nominees were also recognized. This included PESO Janiuay for 1st Class Municipality Category, Carles and Tigbauan for 2nd Class Municipality Category, and Tubungan for 4th Class Municipality Category.
The Award is the 2021 version of the annual Search for Best PESO. The competition’s criteria, however, were adjusted in view of the measures undertaken by the PESOs aligned with their operations during the pandemic.
The winners will represent the region in the national search.
Meanwhile, Iloilo mayors and Sangguniang Bayan members present in the event were awarded on the spot by DOLE 6 Regional Director Atty. Sixto Rodriguez, Jr. with one million pesos worth of Livelihood Programs for their municipalities.
Mayors present were Hon. Jon Aying of Sara, Hon. Nielo Tupas of Barotac Viejo, Hon. Peter Paul Gonzales of Banate, Hon. Oscar Villegas, Jr. of Lemery, and Hon. Roquito Tacsagon of Tubungan.
Attendance from SB Members of Guimbal and Cabatuan also secured Livelihood Program funding for their municipalities.
(Jayrel Encontro/ PESO)
