Western Visayas is positioning itself at the forefront of employment innovation as 22 mayors and more than 190 delegates gathered for the 2025 Regional Public Employment Service Office (PESO) Congress, a landmark event focused on jobs of the future.
With the theme “Empowering the Workforce of Tomorrow: PESO Region VI at the Forefront of AI, Skills Transformation, and Global Mobility,” the congress underscored how local governments can harness technology, upskilling, and overseas opportunities to reshape the region’s labor force.
Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) Undersecretary for Employment and Human Resource Cluster Carmela I. Torres praised Western Visayas for having some of the most dedicated PESOs nationwide.
“As bridges of the community, PESOs ensure that every jobseeker has access to decent and sustainable work while connecting employers to the workers they need,” Torres said.
DOLE-6 Director Atty. Sixto T. Rodriguez Jr. described PESO managers as the “backbone of the employment system,” stressing that Region VI is not just preparing for change but ready to lead it.
“The future of work is already here. With your dedication, Region VI will not just be ready—it will lead,” he said.
A highlight of the event was the awarding of the 2024 Best PESO Regional Grand Winners, who will represent the region in the national search.
Honorees include: Antique (2nd Class Province), Iloilo City (Highly Urbanized City), Kabankalan City, Negros Occidental (Component City), Miagao, Iloilo (1st Class Municipality), Tigbauan, Iloilo (2nd–3rd Class Municipality), and Balasan, Iloilo (4th–6th Class Municipality).
Beyond recognition, the congress also featured accomplishment reports, a general assembly, and the election of new PESO Regional Officers who will serve from 2026 to 2028. IMT
