𝗣𝗚𝗟𝗨, 𝗗𝗠𝗠𝗠𝗦𝗨 𝗘𝗠𝗣𝗢𝗪𝗘𝗥 𝗟𝗨 𝗙𝗜𝗥𝗦𝗧 𝗧𝗜𝗠𝗘 𝗝𝗢𝗕𝗦𝗘𝗘𝗞𝗘𝗥𝗦

By: Rowell B. Timoteo, GPC-PESO | Photos By: GPC-PESO | Date: May 31, 2022

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To expand government services and improve first time jobseekers access to employment, the Provincial Government of La Union (PGLU) through Public Employment Service Office (PESO), in collaboration with the Don Mariano Memorial State University (DMMMSU) Trabaho Center, successfully conducted an Online Province-wide Career and Employment Coaching dubbed "Ready na Ako for Work" for 827 college graduating students from different schools, colleges, universities in the Province of La Union on May 31, 2022.

With the strong support of the PGLU headed by the Gov. Francisco Emmanuel “Pacoy” R. Ortega III and the DMMMSU Institution headed President Dr. Jaime I. Manuel, Jr., the activity was successfully conducted. In the Governor’s video message to the participants, he extended his warmest congratulations to the participating college graduating students and extended his sincere appreciation to DMMMSU Office of Students Affairs and Services and the PESO for taking the lead in conducting this activity and added, "Our dear graduates, as we adjust and adapt to the pandemic and transformation, opportunities such as this is our way of ensuring that you are equipped with required knowledge and skill set in securing a job after graduation."

Invited resource speakers from the different government agencies educated the participants on Effective Business Correspondence; Personality Development; Privileges under Republic Act 11261; PESO Programs and Services; National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) Services covered by RA 11261; Social Security System (SSS) Special Services for First-time Jobseekers and the introduction of the first time jobseekers in the programs of the DMMMSU Trabaho Center for students and regular jobseekers.

Information Officer II Ms. Camille R. Bumatay of the Provincial Information Office discussed essential parts on how to prepare business correspondence, application letter, resume and the Personal Data Sheet (PDS). In her presentation about preparing a resume, Ms. Bumatay gave tips such as, “It's very important that in the skills section, we include not only the hard skills, but also the soft skills that you have. Are you able to work under pressure?; Are you a fast learner?; Can you work within a team?; So, those are very important skills that you may include in your resume so as to give a good impression to your employer."

Dr. Angelica Maranan-Maglanoc, a Project Manager and Consultant, engaged with the participants on the topics of preparing them on how they will develop their personal skills as they enter the world of work. While sharing, she stated, “People can strengthen personal development skills throughout their lives to better themselves and reach their goals...We have to make sure that we have to be updated, we have to make sure that our development is continuous and it doesn't stop from anywhere.”

Labor and Employment Officer III Ms. Darbie Ann R. Fernandez of Department of Labor and Employment - La Union Field Offiice presented the salient features of the First Time Jobseekers Assistance Act. She also discussed the characterization of the first time jobseekers as indicated in the law. In availing the benefits of the First Time Jobseekers Assistance Act, Ms. Fernandez stated, “The jobseeker shall secure and present a barangay certification stating that he or she is a first time jobseeker and a resident of the barangay for atleast 6 months.”

Provincial PESO Manager Ms. Charito C. Dator, on the other hand, presented the different core programs and services of PESO for first time jobseekers. Ms. Dator stated, “Pag sinabing PESO ang unang maiisip po natin ay employment. Pwedeng ito po ay isa sa mga lugar kung saan ung mga naghahanap ng trabaho ay maari silang pumunta.” She encouraged the participants to visit PESO for searching job opportunities at the same time to register in the Find Jobs La Union Employment Portal to search for jobs online.

Atty. Narlito A. Urgel from NBI-Ilocos Regional Office promoted steps on how to get NBI clearance online appointment for first time jobseekers. Atty. Urgel emphasized, “Yung first jobseeker law natin, primarily aims to provide help for our fellow first time jobseekers in mitigating expenses before applying for a job. Para makatulong sa mga bagong graduate na naghahanap ng trabaho, ang mga clearances kagaya ng NBI clearance ay libre sa inyo, provided na dala dala nyo yung certification ng proof of eligibility na barangay certification stating that the applicant is a first time jobseeker.”

Regional Communication Officer Mr. Christian Andrew Rillorta of SSS Luzon North I introduced the programs and benefits of SSS and the steps on how to easily get a SSS number for employment through the new online dashboard of SSS saying, " Sa SSS po, sa pagkuha po ng SSS number, ang primary document na hinihingi po namin ay yung birth certificate from PSA. Kung wala ho yan, in the absence of the birth certificate, any of the following documents, baptismal certificate, driver's license kung meron na ho kayo, passport, PRC Card or Seaman's Book."

Office of the Student Affair Services Head Dr. Bernardo D. Lamadrid of DMMMSU-MLUC, oriented the participants about the function of the DMMMSU Trabaho Center for students and jobseekers. “We are offering this special career and placement service to all our students in the university as well as to other students or jobseekers in the Province of La Union or in the region, if ever you wanted to be assisted as you look for possible employment locally or abroad.” Dr. Lamadrid also invited all college graduating students of DMMMSU to submit their resume to the DMMMSU Trabaho Center to assist them for referral to potential employers and job matching.

The Provincial Government through PESO will take a step further in the new normal to strengthen its working relationship with the academic institutions to expand the coverage of providing career enrichment programs and provision of employment facilitation services for all students in the province.