Bringing employment services closer to communities was among the local government practices presented to officials from Biñan City, Laguna, during a benchmarking visit to Lapu-Lapu City.
Led by Biñan City Mayor Angelo Alonte, the delegation visited the Lapu-Lapu City Public Employment Service Office (PESO) on Oct. 13, 2026, to learn about the city’s employment services, particularly its Barangay Caravan and other job generation initiatives.
The visit focused on how local governments can make employment opportunities more accessible by bringing job-related services directly to residents in their communities.
Lapu-Lapu City Vice Mayor Celedonio Sitoy, Councilor Celestino Aying, chair of the city council’s committee on public employment, and PESO Manager Kim Francisco welcomed the visiting officials.
Sitoy said the city had strengthened its PESO operations to support its employment programs and improve the office’s delivery of services.
“We strengthened the capability of PESO. Maraming nang nagawa at nakakatulong talaga ang opisina ng PESO,” Sitoy said.
Francisco presented Lapu-Lapu’s employment initiatives and operational strategies, highlighting the value of exchanging effective practices among local government units.
“It is very important to learn from others’ best practices. We work as one,” Francisco said.
Aying reaffirmed the city council’s commitment to supporting employment and livelihood programs through local legislation.
Romualdo Garcia, president of the PESO Managers Association of the Philippines (PESOMAP) National Federation, said the benchmarking activity would give Biñan officials an opportunity to learn from the experience 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 programs.
“Sa pag-unlad ng lungsod dapat kasama ang mga kawani at bawat isang mamamayan. Maraming salamat po sa mainit na pagtanggap,” Alonte said.
The delegation also met with Lapu-Lapu City PESO officials at Eloisa Royal Suites as part of the benchmarking activity.
The exchange aimed to help Biñan City identify employment service practices it could adapt to strengthen its own job generation initiatives and bring more employment opportunities within reach of its residents.
Photo courtesy of Biñan Tourism Office
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