The City’s Public Employment Service Office (PESO) initiates the conduct of a training workshop on the establishment and strengthening of the Zamboanga City Barangay Employment Service Office (BESO), as it seeks to deepen and expand the reach of its facilitation machinery. 

Held in collaboration with the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), USAID- PBED Youthworks and the City Social Welfare and Development Office (CSWDO), the 2-day training held January 11-12 at a local hotel is attended by representatives from the 7 CSWDO field offices, and chairmen from the 30 pilot barangays and their respective BESO focal person. 

The creation of the BESO is mandated under Ordinance 581, which reorganizes and strengthens the city’s PESO pursuant to RA 8759 as amended by RA 10691. Under the law, all barangays are to establish their individual BESO supported by a barangay ordinance and funding support.

PESO Manager Jerico Bustamante said the BESO shall serve as the extended arm of the City PESO and will be responsible in facilitating employment, livelihood, and training opportunities in the community. 

Present during the opening program were Councilor Vincent Paul Elago who is the PESO Ordinance co-author and Committee Chair on Labor and Employment; DOLE-9 Regional Director Albert E. Gutib, YouthWorks PH Chief of Party Hanibal E. Camua and Attache Adam Musa, OIC Regional Director, Department of Migrant Worker-9. (Sheila Covarrubias)