As part of President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr.’s ongoing initiative to develop Public Employment Services (PES) across the country, the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), led by Secretary Bienvenido E. Laguesma, reiterated its dedication to enhancing PES through its involvement in the World Association of Public Employment Services-Asia-Pacific Regional Conference 2025 (WAPES-APRC), held from November 6 to 7, 2025 in Clark, Pampanga.
With the theme “The Future of Work: Inclusive Public Employment Services Adapting to Demographic Realities in the Asia-Pacific,” the conference served as a strategic forum for discussion, partnership, and sharing of initiatives among PES and key stakeholders in the region.
In a video message, President Marcos Jr. emphasized the crucial role of public employment services offices (PESOs), as they “bridge aspirations and opportunities, enabling workers to get a job that meets their goals and that suits their skills.”
The President also emphasized the need to align policies and practices to ensure effective delivery of PES under the current administration.
The President further assured that the administration, through the DOLE, is focusing on collaboration and expanding employment opportunities both domestically and across the Southeast Asia region to achieve faster employee-employer matching, smoother work transitions, and continuous workforce development by encouraging the exchange of best practices.
During an interview at the sidelines of the 2025 WAPES-APRC, DOLE Secretary Laguesma underscored the importance of exchanging information and best practices among international delegates, stating that this will enhance the dialogue of the conference and ultimately benefit the country’s employment and PES.
“Itong talakayan na ito ay pagsi-share ng mga impormasyon, mga best practices na pwede sigurong ma-adapt ng Pilipinas o kaya naman yung mga best practices ng Pilipinas ay ma-consider din ng ibang mga bansa. Sa programa na isasagawa sa loob ng dalawang araw mayroong mga resource persons sa iba-ibang mga lugar o ibang mga miyembro ng WAPES at layunin nga ay tingnan kung paano i-address yung mga transformation, pagbabago sa world of work, yung may kinalaman sa technological advancement, AI, digitalization kasama din yung may kinalaman sa demography,” Secretary Laguesma said.
