DOLE-TESDA CONVERGENCE GIVES MASONRY STARTER KITS TO 25 BENEFICIARIES

Turnover of Masonry NCI Starter Kits

Manolo Fortich Public Employment and Scholarship Office (PESO) hosted the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) Integrated Livelihood Program turnover of Masonry NCI starter kits to 25 recipients held at the Technical Skills and Development Center (TSDC), Normingco Compound, Tankulan, Manolo Fortich, on February 23, 2024.

The program is a collaboration between DOLE and the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA). The recipients were Manolo Fortich locals who had participated in the 2nd Municipal Livelihood Summit in October of last year and received training for Masonry NCI. The starter kit consists of 28 different pieces of equipment/tools, including 2 types of shovel (round and square), 4 types of trowel, steel tape, crowbar, screwdriver set, mason’s line, gloves, hard hat, and plumb bob, among others.

The beneficiaries were also granted the TUPAD (Tulong Panghanapbuhay sa Ating Disadvantaged/Displaced Workers), which is a community-based assistance program providing emergency employment for displaced, underemployed, and seasonal workers, last December 2023.

Among the beneficiaries is 36 years old Jaden Barba, from Purok 10 Damilag, who expressed his sincere gratitude for the opportunity that was laid out for them. “Unta daghan pa nga mga katawhan nga gusto makakuha ani nga opportunity ang inyo pod matabangan. Isa sa akong ipasalig, nga ako gyud ning gamiton nga opportunity para mas ma bless pa ko ug akong pamilya puhon. Salamat kaayo sa LGU Manolo Fortich, TESDA, DOLE, TUPAD, ug sa tanang department nga nagpaluyo niini."

Overall, they were given the TUPAD as an allowance, were trained for free, were presented with the National Certificate I for Masonry after completing the training, and were given the equipment/tools (Masonry NCI starter kit). This initiative seeks to encourage individuals and equip them with the skills needed to start a career in masonry, leading to job opportunities and financial security for themselves and their families.

“Convergence ni siya nga effort tali sa TESDA ug DOLE nga makabaton og pagbansay ang mga katawhan diris Manolo Fortich. We provide the needed equipment para sa ilang mga gamit sailang panginabuhi na,” stated DOLE Provincial Head Raul Valmores. He added, “To the graduates, we hope they will cherish, develop their skills so they can be utilized in the needs/demands of the municipality of Manolo Fortich and elsewhere, as this skill is very essential, especially in masonry.”

Also in attendance were Senior Labor Employment Officer Reyna Tagailao, TESDA Regional Office Representative Joesette Bandalan, President of KAANIB Foundation Erlinda Sayago, and PESO Libona representative Kent Joseph Baguio. They then went to barangay Maluko that day to hand over equipment for natural feeds to 52 members of the Maluko Highland Farmers Association.