a. Public Employment Offices

Public Employment Offices

Concept

A Public Employment Service Office (PESO) is a local, community-based office that helps job seekers and employers connect through employment information and assistance. The PESOs form a national public employment service network linked to the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE). (Public Employment Service Office Act of 1999, as amended by Rep. Act No. 10691)¹

Governing provisions

The Labor Code directs the State to strengthen the network of public employment offices while rationalizing private-sector participation in recruitment and placement. Article 16 recognizes public employment offices as an avenue for recruitment and placement, subject to the exception stated in Chapter II of the same Title. (Art. 12, Labor Code)² (Art. 16, Labor Code)³

Under the Public Employment Service Office Act of 1999, as amended, a PESO shall be established in every province, city, and municipality. It is operated and maintained by the local government unit (LGU) and placed under the office of the governor or the city or municipal mayor. (Public Employment Service Office Act of 1999, as amended by Rep. Act No. 10691)¹

Requisites / Rules

• Organization. The PESO is initially organized with a PESO manager. The LGU may determine whether a labor and employment officer will assist the manager. (Public Employment Service Office Act of 1999, as amended by Rep. Act No. 10691)¹
• DOLE linkage. PESOs are linked to DOLE regional offices for coordination and technical supervision, and to the DOLE central office as part of the national network. DOLE also provides capacity-building, technical assistance, standards, registries, and performance monitoring. (Public Employment Service Office Act of 1999, as amended by Rep. Act No. 10691)¹ (Sec. 7, RA 8759, as amended by RA 10691)⁴
• Labor market information. Persons seeking employment, particularly the unemployed, shall register with the PESO for employment facilitation assistance. Establishments shall submit their vacancies and information on applicants hired so that information on the supply of and demand for skills remains accurate. (Sec. 7, RA 8759, as amended by RA 10691)⁴
• Employment services. PESO functions include providing local and overseas employment information to job seekers, assisting employers with recruitment, and developing testing and evaluation instruments for job selection, training, and counseling. (Sec. 5, Rep. Act No. 8759)⁵
• Other assistance. The PESO also provides career guidance, pre-employment counseling and orientation, employability training, referrals to livelihood and self-employment programs, and reintegration assistance for returning Filipino migrant workers. (Sec. 5, Rep. Act No. 8759)⁵

Distinctions

The amended Act places the LGU PESO in every province, city, and municipality. This differs from the earlier wording of Section 3, which identified capital towns, key cities, and other strategic areas and described PESOs as maintained largely by LGUs and certain other organizations. For the current location and operation rule, use the amended provision. (Sec. 3, Rep. Act No. 8759)⁶ (Public Employment Service Office Act of 1999, as amended by Rep. Act No. 10691)¹

Key doctrines

The PESO is more than a vacancy board: its statutory functions span job matching, counseling, training, livelihood referrals, and assistance to returning migrant workers. These services support the Labor Code policy of facilitating access to employment through a strengthened public employment network. (Sec. 5, Rep. Act No. 8759)⁵ (Art. 12, Labor Code)²

Exceptions

Upon request of an accredited nongovernment organization or educational institution, DOLE may enter into a memorandum of agreement for the organization to operate a PESO or for the institution to operate a job placement office, respectively. These offices coordinate their activities with the appropriate LGU PESO. (Public Employment Service Office Act of 1999, as amended by Rep. Act No. 10691)¹

Bar tip

Identify who establishes and operates the LGU PESO, who provides technical supervision, and which offices must coordinate with it. Do not confuse the earlier geographic coverage with the amended rule. (Public Employment Service Office Act of 1999, as amended by Rep. Act No. 10691)¹ (Sec. 7, RA 8759, as amended by RA 10691)⁴