Amidst the Zamboanga City siege which fell on the dates when PESO managers conduct their annual gathering for the National Public Employment Service Office Congress, 13 PESO managers from the Zamboanga Peninsula Region trooped their way to The Oriental Hotel, Palo, Leyte to participate the said event last September 24-27, 2013.

Having the least number of participants during the congress, still, Zamboanga Peninsula Region made it to the limelight during the awarding ceremonies of the National Best PESO, when Saint Vincent's College PESO manager Sylvia Sumondong was called to receive the National Best PESO for the State Universities and Colleges (SUC)/ Non-Government Organization (NGO) level.

Out of the four nominees from different known SUC's, Sumondong was able to top because of her exemplary performances and initiatives to extend an extra mile in order to serve not only the students of Saint Vincent's College, but also extending her professional services to the entire region.

Meanwhile, RT. Lim PESO manager Susan Cabrera was also one of the nominees and received a special citation for the 3rd-4th level municipalities. Dr. Reynaldo Venezuela, PESO Manager of Jose Rizal Memorial State University- Dapitan City, and Engr. Vince Quipot were also awarded with a President's award for their continued support and service rendered to the pool of PESO managers in the Zamboanga Peninsula Region.

The PESO Congress is an annual gathering aimed to convene all PESO managers countrywide to discuss best practices that are worthy of replicating, and to recognize outstanding PESOs who were able to provide exemplary assistance to DOLE in realizing its deliverables.

Gay Iris TS. Tangcalagan, DOLE RO9