By CESAR JOLITO III
The Bacolod Sangguniang Panlungsod has approved on first reading a proposed ordinance seeking to elevate the Public Employment Service Office (PESO) into a full-fledged department, a move aimed at strengthening employment services in the city.
The measure proposes the creation of the Public Employment Services Department (PESD).
The initiative is designed to enhance the city government’s capacity to deliver more responsive, inclusive and technology-driven employment programs for Bacolodnons.
Councilor Caesar Distrito, who chairs the Committee on Human Resource, said the ordinance aligns with national laws, including Republic Act No. 8759, as amended, which mandates the strengthening of PESOs, and Republic Act No. 7160, which grants local government units the authority to structure their organizations based on local needs.
“This measure is about future-proofing our employment services,” Distrito said, emphasizing that the proposal aims to institutionalize a more robust system capable of addressing evolving labor market demands.
Under the proposed ordinance, all existing PESO functions and programs will be retained while introducing key enhancements such as expanded job matching services, labor market analytics, entrepreneurship and livelihood support, and inclusive employment programs for vulnerable sectors. The measure also pushes for the adoption of digital systems and decentralized service delivery.
A major component of the proposal is the establishment of Barangay Employment Service Office (BESO) desks across all barangays in Bacolod.
These desks will serve as frontline access points for job seekers and will be supervised by the proposed PESD to ensure wider reach of employment facilitation services.
The ordinance also mandates the development of a digital employment platform that will allow online job matching, applicant registration and maintenance of employer and labor market databases.
The system is expected to be accessible on website and mobile platforms and integrated with national government systems.
If approved, the PESD will be headed by a department head and supported by an assistant, with operations divided into five major areas: employment facilitation, labor market research, training and career development, livelihood and entrepreneurship, and administrative support.
The measure also provides for the expansion of plantilla positions and a stronger organizational structure, subject to budget availability and civil service regulations.
Implementation will be carried out in phases, prioritizing core services, barangay-level access, and digital transformation.
Distrito described the proposal as a long-term investment in employment, skills development, and economic opportunities for Bacolod residents, noting that the goal is to build a more transformative and accessible employment service system./CJ, WDJ