Six leading colleges and universities in Pampanga recently committed their support and cooperation to effectively address the employment and underemployment problems in Pampanga.
Public Employment Services Office (PESO) Head Luningning Vergara said that these colleges and universities have entered into a memorandum of agreement with the Pampanga provincial government and the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) Regional Office No. III.
Vergara said that these educational institutions include the Don Honorio Ventura Technological State University (DHVTSU), Holy Angel University (HAU),Guagua National Colleges (GNC), University of the Assumption (UA), Pampanga Agricultural College (PAC) and the St. Nicolas College of Business Technology.
Governor Lilia G. Pineda, DOLE Regional Director Ernesto C. Bihis and the heads of the said six colleges and universities signed the memorandum of agreement in ceremonies held recently at the Bliss Hotel in the City of San Fernando.
Vergara explained that the provincial government through the PESO, DOLE and the six colleges agree that the magnitude and urgency of the unemployment and underemployment problems require the active involvement of the local government units and other concerned sectors in the province.
“The provision of employment, needed resources and livelihood opportunities are one of the major programs of the governor as she firmly believes that they are essential ingredients in uplifting the standard of living of the target populace,” she said.
Under the MOA, the DOLE shall develop, administer and manage area-based employment projects and services for PESO implementation; recommend the requirements for human resources, equipment, facilities and other necessary resources for the effective management and administration of the PESO and the concerned educational institutions; maintain a computerized regional registry of skills as well as employment and business opportunities for easy access of clients; make accessible the Phil-Jobnet, free of charge and assist in its operationalization.
These tasks will be undertaken by DOLE through its Pampanga Provincial Field Office in close coordination with the provincial PESO.
For their part, the six colleges and universities committed their available resources in maintaining and improving the various PESO services to their students and graduates; provide the required necessary resources and facilities including a focal person charged with the Phil-Jobnet operations; provide labor market information as well as referral and placement services both for local and overseas employment for their students and graduates.
More so, they have also committed to provide on a regular basis the provincial PESO a copy of the encoded registry of their graduates under the off-line feature of the Phil-Jobnet for integration to the National Manpower Registry of Skills; and provide regular program inputs/feedbacks.
Meanwhile, Vergara said that the provincial government will closely coordinate with the concerned parties by providing information on job vacancies both local and overseas; conduct jobs fair, skills and livelihood trainings and implement special programs of the DOLE which aimed to address employment concerns. (Pampanga PIO)
