In the municipality of Balasan in the province of Iloilo, a father of three strives to build a better future for his family. Leo Rey Barlas, a 31-year-old graduate of an Automotive Technology vocational course in 2010, had unstable work as a construction worker after returning home from Manila. Seeking better opportunities, he pursued a college degree in Marine Engineering at the Western Institute of Technology (WIT), hoping it would lead to a more secure job and improved living conditions for his family. However, due to financial difficulties, he was unable to complete the course.

Despite these setbacks, Leo remained determined to improve his skills and find stable employment near his hometown. His opportunity came when his mother, a beneficiary of the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps), informed him about the Skills Training on Electrical Installation and Maintenance NC II offered by the Sustainable Livelihood Program (SLP) under the Employment Facilitation track.

Leo enrolled in the 25-day training on Electrical Installation and Maintenance NC II at Leon Ganzon Polytechnic College (LGPC) in Balasan, while continuing occasional construction work to support his family. After successfully completing the course and passing the assessment, he was selected as an on-the-job trainee at LGPC. His responsibilities included rehabilitating and installing electrical wiring throughout the campus.

Thanks to his outstanding performance, Leo was offered a Job Order position at LGPC. He served diligently in this role for six years, demonstrating commitment and skill. In January 2024, his hard work paid off when he was officially hired as a casual employee of the institution. He now enjoys government-mandated benefits and Health Maintenance Organization (HMO) coverage, which allow him to provide more securely for his family and safeguard their well-being.

Today, Leo is regarded as one of LGPC’s most trusted personnel in Electrical Installation and Maintenance. He played a key role in the electrical works for RainbowVille, the institution’s flagship green culture project, which recently won First Prize in the MorProGRes Gardens Contest (Academe-College Category) conducted by the Iloilo Provincial Government.

“You really need patience and perseverance. Back then, this kind of work was not part of my skill set, but I learned to love what I do and develop the skills taught to us during the training,” Leo shared.

He also expressed his gratitude to the Sustainable Livelihood Program for providing the training opportunity, which not only led to sustainable employment but also gave him the chance to be present in his children’s lives every day./dswd6/cdf/Sheila Roma/Imee Belloga