47 PWDs graduate in DSWD courses

CEBU, Philippines - An additional 47 persons with disabilities recently graduated from the technical vocational program of state social welfare agency.

The latest Area Vocational Rehabilitation Center (AVRC II) graduates finished their one-year training in the fields of massage therapy and alternative learning system (ALS) both in elementary and high school. Of the 47, 18 graduated as licensed massage therapists while 29 were ALS certified.

DSWD Central Visayas regional director Mercedita Jabagat, during the graduation ceremony, stressed that PWDs should not be disheartened by the situation that they are in.

“Ipakita nga kaya ninyo, dili ta ma-discourage. Karon ato gayud gi-encourage atong mga sectors nga tagaan nato og bili ug pagtagad mao nang aduna kitay nagkadaiyang programa para sa mga PWDs (Show that you can do it, we should not be discouraged. Now, we are encouraging our sectors to give value and attention that is why we have different programs for the PWDs),” Jabagat said.

For Jesiely Padin, 20-year-old girl with hunchback condition from Carcar City and one of the model trainees, joining the DSWD’s vocational program is a big help.

“Willing ko ni eskwela sa AVRC og mokuha og computer technology kay kapoy man ug standby ug bati kaayo kung matiguwang ka nga walay kaalam (I was willing to study in AVRC and take up computer technology because it’s boring to stay at home and it’s not good to grow old learning nothing at all),” Padin shared.

She used to be a business administration student of Sibonga Community College but stopped due to financial problems.

“Ayaw kawagtang og paglaum kay naa ra sa atong pagpaningkamot nga mulambo ta dayon unya labi na nga gipahigayunan mi og programa sa DSWD alang kanamo (Do not lose hope because if we strive hard, we will really succeed, especially now that the DSWD provides program for us),” her advice to fellow PWDs went.

This program by Department of Social Welfare and Development started in 1974 and has been helping out PWDs in the region land regular jobs in different fields including therapeutic massage, computer technology, basic cosmetology, consumer electronics, electric motor repair, commercial arts and crafts, commercial cooking, housekeeping, and dress and apparel technology. —/BAL (FREEMAN)