Mayor John Dalipe Tuesday morning signs Ordinance 2022-81 reorganizing and strengthening the Public Employment Service Office (PESO) in the city pursuant to Republic Act 8759 or the PESO Act of 1999.
Authored by Councilors Cary John Pioc and VP Elago, the ordinance was certified urgent by the mayor and was approved by the Sangguniang Panlungsod during its 29th regular session last Oct. 3, 2022.
With the ordinance now enacted, the PESO will now be a division under the Office of the City Mayor with personnel composition of its own, and no longer part of the City Social Welfare and Development Office (CSWDO).
PESO, as an employment service facility of the government, is tasked to ensure prompt, timely, and efficient delivery of employment services under the supervision of the LGU and the technical support of DOLE. Its institutionalization will enable the office to become more empowered and effective.
The move to institutionalize the PESO was a collaborative effort of the CSWDO-PESO, Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE-9) led by Regional Director Atty. Roy Buenafe, the City Council led by Vice Mayor Josephine Pareja and Mayor Dalipe, who certified the ordinance as urgent.
Mayor Dalipe affixed his signature on the Ordinance during simple rites held at the City Hall conference room in the presence of Councilors Pioc and Elago, CSWDO head Maria Socorro Rojas, City Budget Officer Geraldine de la Paz, DOLE Zamboanga City Field Office OIC Makaraya Adil and other DOLE-9 officials, CSWDO Asst. head Darick Fabian and staff among others.
Meanwhile, de la Paz said budget for the hiring of staff and other operational expenses of the office can be included in the 2023 first supplemental budget.
Nonetheless, the PESO can continue to function and undertake programs, projects and activities pending the approval of the 2023 SB1. (Sheila Covarrubias)
(Source: City Government of Zamboanga Facebook page, photo courtesy by Eugene Elnar)