Biñan studies Lapu-Lapu’s employment programs

CEBU, Philippines — The Biñan City government is looking into adopting employment initiatives implemented in Lapu-Lapu City to improve its local job generation programs.

The Public Employment Service Office (PESO) of Biñan City conducted a benchmarking activity in Lapu-Lapu City on Tuesday, October 13, to learn about the latter’s employment services, particularly programs that bring job opportunities closer to communities.

The delegation was led by Biñan City Mayor Angelo Alonte, accompanied by PESOMAP National Federation President Romualdo Garcia. They were welcomed by Vice Mayor Celedonio Sitoy, Councilor Celestino Aying, chair of the Committee on Public Employment, and Lapu-Lapu City PESO Manager Kim Francisco.

The discussions focused on the Lapu-Lapu City PESO’s barangay caravan and other job generation initiatives designed to make employment opportunities more accessible to residents.

Sitoy said the city has strengthened the capabilities of its PESO to support its employment programs.

“We strengthened the capability of PESO. Maraming nang nagawa at nakakatulong talaga ang opisina ng PESO,” Sitoy said.

Francisco presented the city’s employment programs and operational strategies, emphasizing the importance of cooperation among local PESO offices in improving public employment services.

“It is very important to learn from others’ best practices. We work as one,” Francisco said.

Aying, meanwhile, reaffirmed the City Council’s commitment to supporting employment and livelihood initiatives through legislation.

Garcia said the benchmarking activity would allow the Biñan City delegation to learn from the experiences of a highly urbanized city.

“We believe that we can learn more from a Highly Urbanized City like Lapu-Lapu City,” Garcia said.

Alonte thanked the Lapu-Lapu City government for welcoming the delegation and sharing its employment initiatives.

“Sa pag-unlad ng lungsod dapat kasama ang mga kawani at bawat isang mamamayan. Maraming salamat po sa mainit na pagtanggap,” Alonte said.

Lapu-Lapu City has also been recognized as one of the country’s five most business-friendly highly urbanized cities.

Earlier that day, the delegation met with Lapu-Lapu City PESO at Eloisa Royal Suites as part of the benchmarking activity.

The visit aimed to strengthen cooperation between the two local governments and help Biñan City identify employment practices that could be adapted to improve its own services. –