The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) Regional Office VIII successfully concluded another round of the Public Employment Services (PES) National Certification (NC) IV Assessment in March 2026, further strengthening the competence and professionalism of employment service practitioners across Eastern Visayas.
Conducted under the region’s Capacity Development Program, the assessment gathered Public Employment Service Office (PESO) Managers, Job Placement Officers (JPOs), and employment facilitators from local government units, higher education institutions, state universities and colleges, and technical and vocational institutions. The activity forms part of DOLE VIII’s continuing commitment to developing a highly skilled workforce capable of delivering quality public employment services.
The PES NC IV is the highest level of national certification under the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) for employment facilitators. It validates the competencies of practitioners in delivering comprehensive employment facilitation services, including career development support, labor market information, employer engagement, referral and placement, employment coaching, and client-centered public service.
Throughout the assessment, candidates underwent competency-based evaluation covering the knowledge, skills, and professional standards required of employment service practitioners. The certification process ensures that PESO Managers and Job Placement Officers possess the technical expertise necessary to respond to evolving labor market demands while maintaining quality and consistency in public employment service delivery.
The assessment also supports DOLE VIII’s broader strategy of professionalizing the Public Employment Service Office network in Eastern Visayas. By increasing the number of nationally certified practitioners, the region continues to strengthen the capacity of PESOs and Job Placement Offices to provide evidence-based employment services, improve job matching, and deliver responsive career guidance to jobseekers.
Complementing the certification initiative are other regional capacity-building efforts, including specialized training on labor market information, digital employment services, and the implementation of the HIRE Eastern Visayas (HIRE EV) platform. These initiatives prepare employment facilitators to leverage technology, data analytics, and innovative service delivery approaches in addressing the changing needs of workers and employers.
The successful completion of another round of the PES NC IV Assessment reflects DOLE Regional Office VIII’s sustained investment in human resource development and institutional excellence. Through continuous competency assessment and professional development, the region remains committed to building a highly qualified network of employment facilitators dedicated to expanding decent employment opportunities and delivering responsive, accessible, and future-ready public employment services for the people of Eastern Visayas.