Feature: Beneficiaries with technical skills thrive to improve livelihood

• Source:http://news.pia.gov.ph/article/view/2601466387982/feature-beneficiaries-with-technical-skills-thrive-to-improve-livelihood
• Monday, June 20, 2016

By Jamila M. Taha (JMT/DOH/PIA10)

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY, June 20 -- The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) continues to empower Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (Pantawid Pamilya) beneficiaries through its Sustainable Livelihood Program (SLP).

One of livelihood program's commendable approaches provides life skills training as a capacity-building strategy to prepare program participants to better manage livelihood opportunities and pro-actively measure and ensure optimum quality performance in managing livelihood activities.

The department partners with schools or institutions which are accredited by Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) to provide the best training and eventually produce the best graduates who would qualify for any technical and well-paid jobs.

As it has been grasped and materialized by some DSWD’s beneficiaries like Reynan Amonhay and Guillermo Baliling Jr., it is easier to find job when you have credentials to show, they said.

Reynan Amonhay, 22, single and out-of-school youth, helps his father in farming to provide for their huge family. Reynan, along with his 11 siblings, work hand in hand to meet daily needs. Although he has completed high school, Reynan didn’t have much skill to boast and match for a job.

"Karon malipayon kaayo ko sa akong nakab-ot sa akong kinabuhi, bisag high school graduate ra ko nakatrabaho ko ug natagaan ko sa dakong kahigayonan nga mulambo pinaagi sa natabang sa DSWD ug nahatag nga bag-o nga kahanas sa 1 AND ALL Technical School (I am really glad because of this milestone in my life, that despite the fact that I am only a high school graduate, I was able to find a job and given an opportunity to improve our living condition through the support of DSWD and 1 AND ALL Technical School)," Reynan shared.

Reynan earns about P6,000 a month as a technician in Globe Telecom.

Guillermo Baliling Jr., 25, single, shares the same experience with Reynan. As a Lumad coming from the same province of Bukidnon where farming is the main source of livelihood, Guillermo also dreams of having a well-paid job to support his family.

“Mao dagko kaayo ang akong pasalamat sa kini nga mga institusyon kay sila ang nahimong instrumento nga sa hinay-hinay ako na makab-ot ang akong pangandoy sa kinabuhi (Because of this I am very thankful to these institutions for being the instrument of change and opportunity for me to reach my goals),” says Guillermo.

“Ug manghinaot ko nga daghan pa ang matabangan aning programa (And I am also hopeful that other people will also benefit from this program),” he adds.

From the mountainous remote area he now takes his journey in the city as he became the head auto mechanic in Opol Auto Repair Shop that earns him a minimum of P250 a day depending on the number of clients.

Reynan and Guillermo are both certified NC II passers of Electrical Installation Maintenance and Automotive Servicing assessment examination conducted by 1 AND ALL Technical School, the same school that provided for their starter tools after graduation and recommendations for employment.

“Our school ensures hands on approach in teaching and we are very generous in terms of sharing the best techniques and tools to our students to make sure their gains are par excellence and beneficial for their future,” says Joy Co, president of 1 AND ALL Technical School.

“Rest assured that we will also continue sharing similar change stories of our graduates, to serve as an inspiration, to all of us working in community development," she affirms.