Former NPA rebels offered skills training

CEBU - Rebel returnees and indigents of Central Visayas now have new hope for a better life through the Subcontracting Partners for Innovation Program (SPIN), a livelihood project that seeks to develop new skills that they can use to improve their lives.

SPIN is a joint project of the Department of Trade and Industry-7, Armed Forces of the Philippines Central Command and 33 Point 3 Exports whose collaboration focuses on training beneficiaries to make export-quality products.

SPIN aims to provide opportunities to residents in conflict areas once identified as rebel-infested.

Trained weavers and craftsmen who come up with products that pass the quality standard can immediately earn because potential buyers are exporters themselves. 

Some 8,000 employment opportunities throughout the region have already been generated by 33 Point 3.   Around 26 skill trainings have been conducted in 17 towns in the region and 1,128 residents have already benefited from the program for this year alone.

The program also teaches residents how they can maximize their local resources through sustainable ways.

In Tuburan town, for example, several coconut trees were eyed as potential source for coco by-products like coco beads and other crafts.

There is a high demand for coco beads to be used in fashion accessories from member-exporters of the Cebu Fashion Accessories Manufacturers and Exporters, Cebu Gifts Toys Housewares Foundation, Amer Trading Corp. and 33 Point 3, among others. — Jessica Ann Pareja/BRP (THE FREEMAN)