Bridging the gap through Skills Training; from unemployment to employment…
“Usa nga hingyap han LGU nga magka-mayda trabaho an amon mga constituents and with the help of DSWD SLP, maaram kami makakab-ot namon ini nga amon hingyap.” (One of the LGU’s dreams is for our constituents to have careers and we know that with the help of Department and Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Sustainable Livelihood Program (SLP), that dream will be realized.), stated Mayor Ma. Rosario Avestruz of Barugo, Leyte, upon opening the Graduation Exercise of the 25 trainees on Computer System Servicing (NCII) on March 1, 2018.
Putting emphasis that the training given was not a right, but a privilege, Mayor Avestruz directed them to strive hard and aim to be members of the country’s workforce, so their effort and the program’s objectives will not be wasted.
Majority of the graduates finished Bachelor of Elementary Education who are yet in the making to become professional teachers. Since that break has not come yet, they grabbed the training opportunity for additional skills, focusing on software and hardware troubleshooting. The NCII certificate will help them have a job related to their training and can also be used for additional points upon applying for a rank at the Department of Education.
Among them is Josephine Versoza, the class president, who is also a barangay captain of Brgy. Can-isak in Barugo. In her testimony, she said that the certificate made her application move faster. There were challenges though.
Josephine lives in the last and farthest barangay of Barugo such that during heavy rainfall, flood occurs easily, causing her to be absent in class. Also, she could not avail the free shuttle ride from Barugo to the training center in Tacloban because of her location.
However, she doesn’t mind the fare she spends everyday because she considers learning as a repay, but still, she was fully reimbursed.
But, the greatest challenge for her was, the lack of knowledge about computers. She had no idea how to operate nor to fix even minor system problems. St. Therese Educational Foundation of Tacloban, Inc. (STEFTI), as service provider for this training, did not stop until everyone has earned the skills.
Josephine, who served their barangay for 8 years (3 years as Brgy. Secretary and 5 years as Brgy. Captain), has now come to realize her dream as a teacher. Since her seven children are growing up and the demands are getting higher, she finally decided to finally pursue her profession.
Now, she is just counting weeks to get the job. “Ayaw naton pagkaraga an kapoy ngan hibaro, ngan ayaw kita pag-undang hasta kita makatrabaho.” (Let us not waste the effort we exerted and the learning we gained. Let us not stop until we find a job.), Josephine advised her fellow graduates.
Meanwhile, offering hope to others, EPSON Batangas had job opportunities nearer to the graduates. Right after the graduation ceremony, they conducted a job interview and examination. Within the day, the interested applicants may proceed to completion of employment requirements free of charge, once they pass the hiring stage. Fare for deployment will be reimbursed upon arriving to Batangas and dormitory fee will be deducted once they start working.
Representing DSWD Regional Director Restituto Macuto, SLP Regional Program Coordinator Hermanito Mangalao during his talk, told the graduates to always desire for excellence and to love their new learnings by finding a job. He added that the agency and its partners will not tire to assist them, so long as they aspire to do more for the betterment of our region and country.
Adding up, Public Employment Service Office (PESO) Manager Armie Joy Elizondo said that there is an increase of employment rate because of DSWD SLP. New employees from Barugo who will help the country in fighting poverty are expected to enjoy the increase and this is because of the full support and determination of DSWD Partners- LGU Barugo, Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA), STEFTI Inc., the Municipal Social Welfare and Development Office headed by Luz Raagas, and the DSWD SLP Implementing Project Development Officer (IPDO) of Barugo, Darwin Cabelin. #DSWDMayMalasakit #DSWDParaSaNakararami
Contributed by Mae Laia Montilla
