PB members Visayas confab starts

CEBU, Philippines - Close to 200 provincial legislators in the entire Visayas area are set to arrive in Cebu today for the 7th Visayas Island Conference of the Provincial Board Members League of the Philippines to be held at Waterfront Cebu City Hotel and Casino.

Because of this the Cebu PB plans not to hold regular session this afternoon to participate in the conference that will run from today until Wednesday.

Western Visayas comprises the provinces of Aklan, Antique, Capiz, Guimaras Island, Iloilo and Negros Occidental.

Central Visayas comprises the provinces of Cebu, Bohol, Negros Oriental and Siquijor. The Easter Visayas comprises the provinces of Biliran, Eastern Samar, Leyte, Northern Samar, Western Samar and Southern Leyte.

The conference will prioritize education and employment programs as subject of legislation.

The activity forms part of the major activities of PBMLP in furtherance of the 21st National Convention theme, “Engaging the PBMLP into the Mainstream of National Policy-Making Thru Thematic Concerns.”

Secretary Mar Roxas of the Department of Transportation and Communication is the keynote speaker during the opening of the program today.

Roxas, who is the author of Republic Act 8759 otherwise known as the Public Employment Service Office Act of 1999, will tackle the Public Employment Services Office as the viable mechanism for local employment generation.

On the second day, several important topics will be discussed by the prominent national officials.

Labor Secretary Rosalinda Baldoz will present the thrusts and programs of the Aquino Administration in the provincial government level. Secretary Joel Villanueva, Director General of the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority, will present the issue on interfacing for skills building, livelihood and employment generation: TESDA-Provincial Council Partnership.

Elizabeth Alonzo, president of PESO Philippines Federation will discuss the topic The PESOs at the Philippines: Towards a Uniting Role in Local Employment Generation and Livelihood Creation. Leyte Governor Carlos Jericho Petilla was also invited to discuss the topic Educational Institutions - Corporations Matching Initiatives: Some insights from the Partner-Business Sectors. — (FREEMAN)