Christmas is in the air.
It could be a merry Christmas for 262 graduates of Skills Training under the Sustainable Livelihood Program (SLP) of the Department of Social Welfare and Development 6 (DSWD-6) to receive their certificates of completion at the Ajuy Municipal Gym in Ajuy, Iloilo on Tuesday.
Of the number, 82 beneficiaries graduated in food processing, 70 in welding, 50 in driving and 30 each from construction painting and massage licensure course. Most who availed the program are Pantawid Pamilya beneficiaries.
Asst. Regional Director for Operations Delia V. Bagolcol graced the culminating activity and inspired everyone to use their skills and talents appropriately.
“We should thanks God for the opportunity that was given to each of us and we should cultivate it with integrity, respect and honesty”, she said.
Bagolcol also thanked partners for helping the department on its implementation. The Remnant Institute of Alternative Medicine Inc., Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA), Northern Iloilo Polytechnic State College (NIPSC-Ajuy), Leon Ganzon Polytechnic College (LGPC) and the Local Government Unit of Ajuy, Iloilo.
TOOL KITS
Apart from the certificates, beneficiaries were also given tool kits as start-up capital for their livelihood.
SLP beneficiary Mercedita Herediano of Brgy. Bay-ang, Ajuy, Iloilo who graduated and trained in food processing said their three-day training in their barangay gave her a lot of learning particularly on food handling and preparations.
Beneficiaries were taught how to make siomai, nuggets, siopao, meat balls, lumpia and squid rings, among others.
Herediano, a Pantawid Pamilya beneficiary, added that the starter kit that was given to her is also a big help for her family to continue their livelihood.
Two of Herediano’s four children who are in elementary and high school were included in the Pantawid Pamilya.
They are into the program for more than four years already.//dswd//MGC