QUEZON CITY (PIA) — The University of the Philippines (UP), the UP Alumni Association (UPAA) and the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) launched a groundbreaking initiative to benefit UP alumnus and students with the establishment of the UP Job Placement Office (UP-JPO).
The office officially open its doors starting today, December 6, at the “Ang Bahay ng Alumni,” UP Diliman in Quezon City. It is designed to serve as a modern Public Employment Service Office (PESO), the UP-JPO will provide vital employment services free of charge, aiming to connect UP students, alumni, and nearby communities to diverse career opportunities.
Key Benefits for Jobseekers
- Job Assistance
- Job Placement and Search Assistance
- Internship Services
- Alumni Relations and Career Outcomes
- Alumni Engagement
- Tracking and Reporting of Employment Outcomes
- Career Guidance and Development
- Advising and Counseling
- Development programs
- Partners and Linkages
- Collaboration with Employers
- Networking Opportunities
The establishment of the UP-JPO stems from a tripartite agreement signed in December 2023 between UP, the UPAA, and the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE). The office’s creation followed extensive consultations and capacity-building programs to ensure that the UP-JPO is equipped to meet the needs of jobseekers effectively.
Labor Secretary Bienvenido Laguesma gives inspirational message during the launch of the University of the Philippines Job Placement Office at the Bahay ng Alumni, UP, Diliman Quezon City on December 6. (Photo by Kervin Valerio/PIA-NCR)
For his part, Department of Labor Secretary Bienvenido Laguesma said, “The strategic value of this JPO that we have set up through our tripartite MOA cannot be overemphasized. It aims to respond to the specific interests of the parties toward a common aim, which is to increase labor market efficiency.”
As part of UP’s broader mission to deliver holistic education, the UP-JPO underscores the university’s dedication to professional excellence. By seamlessly integrating career services into its ecosystem, UP is not only preparing its graduates for success but also contributing to the economic and social development of surrounding communities.
Secretary Laguesma stressed that one of the main intention of this JPO is to elevate the status of public employment services by having a JPO that is purposely designed to cater to a segment of the labor market where the jobs to be filled up demand higher levels of education, knowledge and qualifications from jobseekers as the labor market information that is usually available in the PESOs are those at the lower skill and education levels.
Also present during the launch alongside DOLE Sec. Laguesma are, DOLE Undersecretary Benedicto Ernesto R. Bitonio, Jr., DOLE Assistant Secretary Paul Vincent W. Añover, DOLE-NCR Regional Director Sarah Buena S. Mirasol, and DOLE-NCR Quezon City Field Office Director Martin T. Jequinto.
Officials from UP and UPAA present are Mr. Robert Lester F. Aranton, Alumni Regent / President of UPAA; Dr. Leo Cubillan, UP Vice President for Academic Affairs; Ms. Maria Recelyn Marasigan, Public Relations Officer of UPAA; and Ms. Erika Mariel Mayoni, Executive Director of UPAA.
The opening of the UP-JPO marks a transformative moment for jobseekers affiliated with UP and beyond. With its tailored services, innovative programs, and commitment to expansion, the initiative is poised to make a lasting difference in the lives of countless individuals seeking meaningful career opportunities. (AVS/PIA-NCR)
