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Philippines, Japan launch joint effort to enhance employment services

Philippines | National

Philippines, Japan launch joint effort to enhance employment services

By Trixee Rosel

The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) and Japan’s Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare have teamed up to strengthen public employment services and enhance job placement efforts nationwide.

DOLE Secretary Bienvenido E. Laguesma said the initiative, supported by the World Association of Public Employment Services (WAPES), aligns with the government’s national employment strategy and seeks to optimize job matching and labor-market coordination.

Laguesma led discussions with key officials, including WAPES Project Coordinator Minako Takasaki, Takashi Sugimori and Harufumi Chonan from Japan’s labor ministry, and Yuki Suzuki, First Secretary at the Embassy of Japan.

“The success of this initiative is critical to our employment goals, and we are confident it will result in substantial improvements in service delivery,” Laguesma said.

Undersecretary Carmela I. Torres underscored the partnership’s role in integrating innovative solutions to address the evolving job market.

The initiative builds on the success of Public Employment Service Offices (PESOs), which achieved a 98 percent job placement rate in 2024. PESOs registered three million job seekers, posted 5.7 million vacancies, and facilitated 2.7 million placements both locally and abroad.

Additionally, 32,000 job seekers underwent training to improve workforce readiness.

Aligned with DOLE’s Five-Point PESO Agenda, the partnership emphasizes digital transformation and capacity-building to further strengthen employment services nationwide.

A high-level meeting in Japan next month will outline the next steps for the project’s implementation.

The Japanese delegation wrapped up their visit with a study tour of the Quezon City PESO on Feb. 7, where they observed best practices in labor-market information, employment guidance, counseling, and job matching services.

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