GMA livelihood caravan rolls off at Smokey Mountain

Thousands of underprivileged residents from Smokey Mountain, a former dump in Tondo, Manila, benefited yesterday from a Malacañang-sponsored job and livelihood caravan, the latest poverty alleviation project of President Arroyo.

Secretary Arthur Yap, presidential adviser on job creation and director of the Presidential Management Staff, led in the launching of Trabaho, Kaalaman at Kabuhayan Caravan at 9 a.m. yesterday in Barangay 129, Smokey Mountain, Tondo.

The caravan intends to visit at least 19 depressed areas in the National Capital Region (NCR) this month to bring not only job opportunities to poor residents, but also offer skills training and provide initial funding to those who want to open a small business.

"This is a unique effort to veer away from the generic type of job and livelihood fair were employers and job seekers without any assessment are just thrown in together," Yap said.

He explained the project is different from the typical job fairs for it also focuses on skills assessment of residents. Under the program, a specific activity would be designed based on their needs of and that of the community.

"This is to ensure that the job vacancy, seminar or training that will be conducted will fit the needs of the labor force," Yap said.

In Barangay 129, he said, residents have requested training on how to make herbal soap, dishwashing products, and perfume making.

The caravan, in cooperation with the Technical Education Skills Development Authority (TESDA), Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), Cooperative Development Authority (CDA), Philippine Credit and Finance Corp. (PCFC) Affiliates, Job Providers and the Local Government Units (LGUs), is also set to visit depressed areas in Dagat-Dagatan in Caloocan, Malabon and Navotas.

Also present during project launching were Rep. Ernesto Nieva, Riza Baldoria, Philippine Information Agency (PIA) assistant director general, Mega Manila Information Office, Barangay Captain Teodoro Iradiel Jr. and other government and local officials.