DOLE to ink MOU with LGU Virac

By Edna A. Bagadiong

VIRAC, Catanduanes, Feb. 11 (PIA) -- The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) Regional Office V is set to sign a Memorandum of Undertaking (MOU) with the municipal government here for the implementation of the Skills Registration System (SRS).

DOLE Catanduanes provincial office chief Rose Cleofe said the MOU provides that DOLE will undertake the establishment of SRS—a continuing nationwide manpower skills registration with the existing Phil-Jobnet as the repository of the Register.

Cleofe cited that unemployment and underemployment continue to be the perennial problems among Filipinos and these problems are attributable to many factors among which are: 1) Inability of the economy to generate new jobs; 2) Labor market imperfections and 3) Lack of information about labor market supply and demand.

She explained that SRS is envisioned to enhance the databank of manpower supply with their corresponding skills and qualifications for ready access of employment service clients, adding that it aims to strengthen the current system of Register of Labor demand from employers that shall be available to both jobseekers and employers.

To realize the objectives of the local government to deliver quality employment services to its constituents, the municipal government of Virac in coordination with the DOLE had established a Public Employment Service Office (PESO) which shall facilitate the employment of those currently unemployed and assist the business establishments in sourcing qualified manpower to fill their existing vacancies.

According to Mayor Jose U. Alberto II of Virac, the establishment of PESO shall help decrease the rate of unemployment and underemployment in the province by serving as agent/ middleman between a business establishment and an applicant.

In this connection, the municipal government here shall designate at least one personnel complement who will assist the existing PESO staff and who shall coordinate with Barangay Captains to undertake purposive data gathering phase, encoding of manpower information and updating register.

It must also provide DOLE full access to the database of information gathered and stored relative to the SRS project and attend to the capability building trainings and other related activities of DOLE.

On the other hand, DOLE shall also designate one counterpart staff that shall coordinate with the PESO designated SRS focal person and provide technical assistance and allied support services to the PESO for the conduct of SRS.

Cleofe said that in order to achieve the main goal of the program, LGUs must make sure to register all their constituents. She likewise said that aside from helping people find jobs suited to their capabilities, the registry system and PESO will also help LGUs in hiring quality workers and employees.

The memorandum shall take effect immediately upon signing and shall be in full force and effect until terminated by any of the contracting parties. (MAL/EAB/PIA5-Catanduanes)