𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗣𝘂𝗯𝗹𝗶𝗰 𝗘𝗺𝗽𝗹𝗼𝘆𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗦𝗲𝗿𝘃𝗶𝗰𝗲 𝗢𝗳𝗳𝗶𝗰𝗲-𝗧𝗮𝗰𝘂𝗿𝗼𝗻𝗴 (𝗣𝗘𝗦𝗢) conducted another Career Coaching Session with the Grade 10 students of Abang-Suizo Integrated School as part of their Career Guidance Day celebration, themed “Building Dreams, Empowering Future.”
Ms. Cherry Ann Doctora, T-I, the Career Guidance Advocate for Junior High School, organized the event alongside the school’s faculty and staff. Assistant School Head Mr. Joebert A. Baconaje, HT-III, delivered a welcome message, encouraging students to listen attentively, as the discussion would be valuable in guiding their future career choices. Ms. Rhelyn May V. Obeja, PESO Tacurong’s Career Development Support Program Focal Person, led the discussion on current labor market trends at both national and local levels. The session highlighted in-demand and hard-to-fill jobs, equipping students with insights to make informed career decisions as they prepare to enter the workforce. Additionally, other PESO programs and functions were presented during the discussion.
The first meeting of Barangay PESO Coordinators in the city for this year set off on March 5, 2025, where the main discussion of the meeting is the presentation of criteria for the Search for Best-Performing Barangay PESO Coordinators. The awardees will be recognized at the 2nd Barangay PESO Congress, tentatively scheduled for November this year. Mr. Allan S. Freno, the City PESO Manager, presented the evaluation criteria and corresponding point system for the selection process. Meanwhile, Mr. Ervin Jay M. Balanueco, Labor and Employment Assistant of PESO Tacurong, guided the coordinators through the National Skills Registration Program (NSRP) Form, explaining its purpose as a database for consolidating skilled jobseekers and workers within their respective barangays. He also provided a step-by-step demonstration on how to properly fill out the form. Ms. Myla M. Pagmanua, the Barangay PESO Focal Person of PESO Tacurong, led the discussion on DILP Monitoring forms, explaining their purpose and the correct way to accomplish them. She also reminded and encouraged all coordinators to consistently submit their monthly First-Time Jobseekers and Kasambahay Reports to the office. These submissions, she emphasized, contribute to their evaluation and could increase their chances of being recognized at the upcoming Barangay PESO Congress.
The Public Employment Service Office (PESO) of LGU-Tacurong initiated the conduct of the first Convergence Meeting of Career Guidance Advocates and Stakeholders on March 5, 2025, which gathered the different guidance counselors and career advocates of both private and public high schools in the city, and other stakeholders. Mr. Allan S. Freno, the City PESO Manager, led the meeting by outlining its key objectives.
He gave an overview and introduced the Career Development Support Program (CDSP) of the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), emphasizing the program’s significance and role in guiding the students toward the right career path and their preferred careers in the future through effective career coaching and counseling.
He also highlighted the program’s significance in disseminating labor market information, ensuring that the students remain informed about the locality’s current labor and employment trends. A quick overview of the recent Labor Market Statistics on both national and local levels was also presented in the meeting.
Present in the meeting as well as the Chief Labor and Employment Officer of DOLE-SKFO, Engr. Louie M. Esparagoza and the City Schools Division of Tacurong (CSDT)-Career Guidance Focal Coordinator Mr. John G. Bayugos, both gave their messages of support and hope for the sustainability and continuity of the particular initiative.
Additionally, the meeting aimed to reorganize the Network of Career Guidance Coordinators in the city, reinforcing collaboration and partnership between the LGU-Tacurong through PESO Tacurong, DOLE-SK Field Office, City Schools Division of Tacurong (CSDT), and guidance counselors, career advocates, and other key stakeholders. With this, an election of a new set of officers was conducted and the following are the newly elected officers for the network:
President: Quirico M. Batilaran, Jr., RGC (from TNHS)
Vice President: Jocelyn O. Defensor, RGC (from TNHS)
Business Managers: Gladys T. Serato (from NDTC-JHS)
Ma. Charisma Joy De Guzman (from SJELCI)
The officers and their members also shared insights and discussions for their initial plans and programs as a network, which is vital for career guidance and counseling for high school students in the city. The guidance counselors, career advocates, and key stakeholders also paid a courtesy call to the City Mayor Joseph George L. Lechonsito, MD, DPA, who also showed utmost support to the future endeavors and collaboration between the LGU and the stakeholders involved.
The Department of Labor and Employment Sultan Kudarat Field Office (DOLE-SKFO) officially turned over a cheque worth PHP3,394,268.95 to Tacurong City Mayor Joseph George L. Lechonsito, MD, DPA as part of the DOLE Integrated Livelihood Program (DILP) on February 25, 2025, at the Office of the City Mayor. Leading the turnover was Mr. Louie M. Esparagoza, the newly appointed Chief Labor and Employment Officer of DOLE-SKFO, who also made a courtesy call to the mayor. City PESO Manager Mr. Allan S. Freno, Acting City Treasurer Mr. Romulo P. Paclibar, PhD, and Senior Labor and Employment Officer Ms. Mikki Rubbins A. Cajandig of DOLE-SKFO also attended the said event.
The livelihood grant will be used to purchase materials and equipment for 141 DILP beneficiaries who applied for the program last year and were included in the beneficiary list. The initiative aims to support informal workers and low-income earners by providing business capital, tools, and equipment to help them sustain their livelihoods. Mayor Lechonsito reaffirmed the City Government of Tacurong’s commitment to supporting DOLE-SKFO’s current and future programs, ensuring continued assistance to the city’s workforce and livelihood sectors. The DOLE Integrated Livelihood Program (DILP) is a grant initiative that provides negosyo carts, tools, equipment, and working capital to beneficiaries, empowering them to establish and sustain their businesses.
