The University of the Philippines Cebu entered into a tripartite Memorandum of Agreement with the Cebu City Government and the Department of Labor and Employment – Regional Office VII on November 20 at the Cebu City Mayor’s Office, strengthening coordinated efforts to enhance student employability and workforce readiness.
Chancellor Atty. Leo B. Malagar, OSA Director Dr. Alena Macasil, and Guidance Services Specialist Cipriano Olita represented UP Cebu. Cebu City Mayor Nestor D. Archival and DOLE Assistant Regional Director Emmanuel Y. Ferrer represented the city and the labor department, respectively.
A key outcome of the agreement is the institutionalization of UP Cebu’s Job Placement Office (JPO). It is a non-fee charging unit within an educational institution established under a MOA with DOLE, mandated to provide employment facilitation services to students and graduates and to coordinate its activities with the LGU PESO. Through the JPO, UP Cebu enhances its mechanisms for job matching, internship placements, career development activities, and employment referrals.
The partnership aligns UP Cebu with the programs of DMDP–PESO Cebu City and DOLE VII, ensuring student participation in job fairs, labor market information sessions, and capability-building initiatives. DOLE VII will extend technical supervision and employer linkages, while the City Government will integrate UP Cebu into its employment facilitation network.
Mayor Archival also proposed the creation of a Joint Technical Working Group to coordinate implementation, streamline communication, and monitor progress across all three institutions.
The signing marks UP Cebu’s efforts to promote youth employment, strengthen collaboration with government partners, and create opportunities for all students to access meaningful jobs and career pathways.