Tacloban offers livelihood courses for males

CEBU, Philippines - The Tacloban City government has opened special classes for males in its Comprehensive Livelihood Entrepreneurial Program, or CLEP, as part of its rehabilitation and recovery efforts to help Taclobanon survivors recoup their losses from the devastation of Yolanda on November 8 last year.

City Councilor Cristina Romualdez, wife of Mayor Alfred Romualdez, announced this development during a press conference held at a restaurant in the city recently.

Cristina, who initiated the CLEP, said the present demand for jobs has escalated after many business establishments were closed due to the Yolanda devastation. “The breadwinner or father of most families in the city were left with nothing to sustain his family’s daily needs,” she said.

The female councilor said that the men in the city must be equipped with skills so that “they can easily look for in-demand jobs or livelihood to earn income for their family.

Citing the boom of construction projects in the city, Cristina deemed it practical to tie-up the CLEP with the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority for accreditation purposes, as the program is now offering more classes on masonry, electrical installation maintenance, carpentry, painting, heavy equipment and plumbing.

The good thing about the program is that CLEP graduates are accredited by TESDA, which means that they can work locally and abroad, said Cristina, adding that TESDA even provided tool kits to the students to the 10-day whole class, usually held at the Balyuan Building near the City Hall.

What is good about it! Councilor Cristina added is that CLEP graduates are accredited by TESDA which means they can work locally and abroad. Ready toolkits are given likewise by said agency.

CLEP was previously known to most Taclobanons as the Cristina Learn and Earn Program, which was a livelihood program of Mayor Alfred’s administration even before Yolanda hit the city, with thousands of women  graduated from the program.

This time, at least 50 males, under the first batch of enrolees finished their classes that started last August. Ongoing CLEP classes also offer reflexology, cosmetology, haircutting and food processing for Tacloban women.

Cristina further announced that interested applicants can signify their intent at her office located at the Legislative Building or at the CLEP Classroom at Balyuan Building and look for Estela. — Gay B. Gaspay/TISAT (FREEMAN)