Batangas PESO managers convene for the "new normal'

To realign employment facilitation efforts under the "new normal", Batangas Public Employment Service Office (PESO) managers tackled relevant DOLE issuances and revised their action plans last June 9, 2020 via Zoom.

Mr. Karl Joseph D. Sanmocte, Batangas employment focal person, discussed among the PESO managers the clarificatory guidelines on the implementation of employment programs which was issued by Regional Director Henry John S. Jalbuena on June 1. On the said document, PESOs and Job Placement Offices (JPO) are highly encouraged to innovate activities that balance the safety of the jobseekers and the continuity of referral and placement services. According to Batangas PESO managers, they have started using drop-boxes as an alternative to direct and personal submission of resumes to PESOs. They have also increased their social media activities inasmuch as many jobseekers have shifted on that platform. A proof of that is Batangas City’s conduct of “Online Huntahan” which is basically career-coaching livestreamed on Facebook.

Dir. Predelma M. Tan, Batangas Provincial Director, commended Batangas PESOs who have been coping with performance targets even though submission of Monthly Employment Reports is momentarily relaxed. In addition, she sought their active cooperation in monitoring private enterprises which have stopped down their operations; have terminated workers, and/or; have implemented alternative work schemes, as enumerated on Labor Advisory No. 17, s. 2020. Dir. Tan emphasized the importance of such monitoring because the resulting data are basis by DOLE in its future interventions.

Labor Advisory No. 21, s. 2020, which is about the private health workers qualifications on financial assistance due to COVID-19, was also part of the discussion. The said issuance generally states that qualified individuals will receive either Php 100,000.00 or Php 1 million. DOLE will be needing PESOs assistance in coordinating with the qualified individuals and with their localities' Health Offices.

Ms. Rose Lyn C. Francisco, President of Batangas Province Federation of PESO Managers, Inc., pledged Batangas PESOs support to DOLE's programs. She said that these times necessitates from them an "increased sense of mission" and strengthening their ties with DOLE will benefit more their constituents. Towards the end of the meeting, she challenged everyone to be flexible and to keep their lines of communication opened.

33 PESO managers and 4 JPO heads attended the meeting.