With the desire to deliver DOLE's mandates at the grassroots level, and taking into consideration the major contribution of the Local Chief Executives (LCEs) through their respective Public Employment Service Offices (PESO) as the extended arm of DOLE in the implementation of DOLE's programs and services, series of LCE Orientations were conducted in the different areas of Zamboanga Peninsula Region.

On February 18, 2014, in Grand Sibugay Hotel, Ipil Zamboanga Sibugay, a total of 49 participants comprising the Mayors, SB Members, and PESO Managers coming from the municipalities of Sibugay, Siocon, Sibuco, Sirawai, Isabela and Zamboanga Cities respectively, attended the said Orientation. The presentation on the process of institutionalizing the PESO and the reorientation on the Department's services, paved the way in realizing the benefits that their constituents could get, thus, a positive commitment from their part was obtained.

In Dipolog City, on February 19, 2014, taking advantage the presence of 120 participants coming from the municipalities of Zamboanga del Norte, a MOA signing on Anti- Illegal Recruitment and Trafficking in Person (AIR-TIP) advocacy with DOLE, POEA and LGU's highlighted the event. Likewise, the representatives of POEA and OWWA, who were also invited during the event, discussed the various programs and services to be cascaded at the PESO level. During the open forum, the issues on PESO institutionalization were clarified, specifically on the provision of plantilla items with the corresponding salary grades once the PESO has been institutionalized.

In February 20, 2014, a total of 55 participants attended the one-day orientation. The highlight of the event is the signing of an Executive Order of LGU-Dinas in relation to its desire to institutionalize its PESO. It is during the open forum that the new Local Chief Executives were upraised with the duties and responsibilities, functions, and the benefits of making their PESO institutionalized. With these, a positive response on their commitment to institutionalize their respective PESOs was achieved.

Part of the orientation in Pagadian City was the launching of Labor and Employment Education Services videos and modules was also witnessed by the participants as this was presented during the said orientation.

Right there and then, an LGU official of Dinas personally turned-over the Executive Order issued by Municipality of Dinas Mayor Basilio Vidad for the institutionalization of their PESO.

The participants were inspired with the presence of the PESO manager of Lugait, Misamis Oriental, Mr. Patricio Parami Jr. as he shared their best practices paving their way to become a two-time National PESO awardee.

Moreover, the series of LCE Orientation in the region was made possible and successful by the representatives from the Bureau of Local Employment, through the OIC-Chief of ESPMD, Mr. Victor Oliver, and Sr. LEO Jerome Gacula by discussing the Salient Features of the PESO act of 1999 and the ten (10) steps towards PESO institutionalization.

Reported by Gay Iris T.S. Tangcalagan, DOLE RO 9