To qualify for good governance seal, LGU should have PESO — DOLE

(FILE) Labor Secretary Silvestre H. Bello III. INQUIRER PHOTO / GRIG C. MONTEGRANDE

MANILA, Philippines —  To qualify to receive the Seal of Good Local Governance (SGLG), a local government unit (LGU) is required to maintain a public employment service office (PESO) starting this year, the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) announced on Sunday.

Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello III said the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) adopted the Labor department’s suggestion to include the institutionalization of the PESO under Social Protection and Sensitivity, one of the 10 criteria for the granting of the Seal of Good Local Governance.

“Complemented by the recent publication of the official PESO Qualification Standards and the impending increase in the internal revenue allotment of LGUs, this development moves us even closer to realizing our vision of providing equal employment opportunities across the nation,” Bello said in a statement.

PESO implements programs like the Special Program for the Employment of Students (SPES), DOLE Government Internship Program,  job fairs, and coaching, and seminars, among others.

LGUs are assessed under 10 governance areas: Financial Preparedness and Sustainability; Disaster Preparedness; Social Protection and Sensitivity; Health Compliance and Responsiveness; Sustainable Education; Business Friendliness and Competitiveness; Safety, Peace, and Order; Environmental Management; Tourism, Heritage Development, Culture, and Arts; and Youth Development.

The SGLG is considered the most sought-after award for LGUs. It recognizes the good performance of provincial, city, and municipal governments in financial housekeeping along with other areas that directly benefit the people.

/MUF