DSWD, Zamboanga City implement skills training program for IDPs

• Source:http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?nid=2&rid=896047
• Friday, June 17, 2016

(PNA), LAP/TPGJR

ZAMBOANGA CITY, June 17 (PNA) -- The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) and the city government have forged an agreement for the implementation of a Skills Training Program with Employment Facilitation Services for the internally displaced persons (IDPs) in this city.

Based on the program, 550 people affected by the 21-day September 2013 siege will undergo skills training on various fields with guaranteed employment opportunities after a 25-day training at the Our Lady of Triumph Institute in Ozamis City.

The DSWD, based on the Memorandum of Agreement (MOA), will provide the funding for the six-month program (June to December), the City Social Welfare and Development Office (CSWDO) will identify and assess the beneficiaries while the Lady of Triumph Institute will be the training agency and facilitate employment either locally or overseas.

The DSWD has allocated PhP35,000 for each beneficiary for fare, accommodation and daily allowance.

The funding allocation is downloaded to the training center on a staggered basis, depending on the number of trainees per batch.

Socorro Rojas, CSWDO chief, said 75 IDPs comprising the first batch of beneficiaries left for Ozamis City on Thursday to undergo training on masonry and carpentry for males and housekeeping for females.

Rojas said an assessment will be done for possible employment of the trainees after the training.

She said the IDP-beneficiaries of the program come from the different transitory sites or temporary shelters. They also include home-based IDPs.

The home-based IDPs are those residing with their relatives or renting houses outside temporary shelters.

Rojas said the beneficiaries of the Skills Training Program were identified through series of meetings, assessment and social preparations spearheaded by her office.