4Ps recipients to get training as DSWD, local center ink ties

CEBU, Philippines – The Department of Social Welfare and Development-7 has forged partnership with the Global Powerskills Development and Assessment Center Inc. in providing skills training to beneficiaries of Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program.

Under its Sustainable Livelihood Program, the DSWD-7 is enrolling 450 individuals from the cities of Cebu, Mandaue and Lapu-Lapu and Cordova town to undergo skills training on housekeeping, bar-tending and food and beverage services that are available at GPS in Mandaue City.

A memorandum of agreement was signed yesterday by DSWD-7 director Mercedita Jabagat and GPS chief operating officer Glenn Anthony Soco and witnessed by SLP coordinator Jennifer Quimno and GPS center director Cynthia Peterson.

DSWD-7, through its project development officers, shall endorse the list of qualified beneficiaries to undergo skills training and pay P20,000 each to GPS or P9 million for the 450 individuals.

It covers the amount equivalent to the training cost per program per beneficiary, including training kits, basic employment requirements and allowances on food, uniform and transportation during the duration of the training.

Jabagat said bulk of the P109 billion budget of the DSWD for this year goes to the poverty reduction programs for 4Ps beneficiaries.

Soco said he was overjoyed to know his partnership with DSWD having a personal knowledge on the gap between the preparedness of an individual to the existing job opportunities.

“This is about bringing government closer to the people. We are privileged and honored to be part (of this and) we take this as our commitment and responsibility,” Soco said.

Quimno explained they chose GPS being one of the best technical schools in the region and the center assuring employment of its graduates.

“We have to ensure the funds are not wasted. We researched, we investigated,” she said.

The GPS has started conducting briefing and orientation for the first batch of 50 enrollees and other capability building activities. Training would last up to two months.

The DSWD and GPS shall issue a Certificate of Completion for the beneficiaries who have completed the training and complying with other requirements. – /JMD (FREEMAN)