Press Release
September 11, 2015

ANGARA HOPEFUL PNOY WILL SIGN PESO BILL INTO LAW TO IMPROVE PH EMPLOYMENT SITUATION

Senator Sonny Angara has expressed optimism that President Aquino will soon sign into law a bill that seeks to help jobless Filipinos especially in the rural areas amid steady unemployment situation in the country.

Both houses of Congress have recently ratified a bill expanding and strengthening the Public Employment Service Office (PESO) which serves as a venue for Filipinos to explore employment opportunities and other labor market information.

"I thank our colleagues and our counterpart in the House of Representatives, Davao City Rep. Karlo Nograles, for the smooth passage of this bill that would assist Filipinos land a job," said Angara, acting chairman of the Senate labor committee.

Based on the July 2015 Labor Force Survey, the unemployment rate was estimated at 6.5 percent with four regions--Central Luzon (8.8%), National Capital Region (8.2%), Ilocos Region (8.2%), and CALABARZON (8%)--registering higher unemployment rates than the national figure.

"Existing PESOs in select areas have really helped minimize unemployment and underemployment. We want the success of these PESOs be replicated in all provinces, municipalities, cities and other strategic areas throughout the country," he said.

The senator noted that presently, there are PESOs in 75 provinces, 142 cities, and 1,374 municipalities in the country.

Collectively, these PESOs may be credited for up to 4.45 million job placements between 2010 and 2013.

"In some areas, there is an apparent failure to adequately disseminate labor market information, such as job vacancies, especially to people living in the provinces. The amended PESO law aims to transform the PESO into a modern public employment service intermediary that provides multi-dimensional employment facilitation services all over the country," Angara said.

The bill also seeks to ensure the PESOs' continued operation and sustainability with the control and supervision of local government units (LGUs) and the technical support of the Department of Labor and Employment.

Under the measure, establishments and enterprises operating in a locality must submit to the concerned LGU relevant labor market information such as present number and nature of jobs, and projection of jobs that the establishment will offer in the next five years.

"This information from the establishments and companies will be submitted to the PESO for job matching and to educational institutions for career guidance of the students. Ang PESO ang magiging pangunahing opisina sa ilalim ng lahat ng LGU na tututok para intindihin at hanapan ng solusyon ang kawalan ng trabaho ng kanilang mga nasasakupan," the lawmaker explained.

"Sa kabila ng ating malakas na ekonomiya, marami pa rin ang napag-iiwanan sa kahirapan at kawalan ng trabaho. Naniniwala ako na agad itong aaprubahan ng Pangulong Aquino para matulungan ang bawat mamamayan na makahanap ng trabaho at maramdaman ang ipinagmamalaking pag-unlad ng ekonomiya ng bansa," Angara said.

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