PRLEC launches Project Vamos in San Carlos

The Poverty Reduction, Livelihood Employment Cluster (PRLEC) of the province of Negros Occidental in partnership with LGU San Carlos launched recently the Barangay Development Project dubbed as “Vamos sa Barangay Codcod, Nataban at Quezon para sa Kapayapaan at Kaunlaran or Project Vamos” in three barangays of City of San Carlos namely, Brgy. Codcod, Brgy. Nataban, and Brgy. Quezon.

The project aims to provide community-based skills training and other livelihood interventions for the three insurgency-cleared barangays identified by DILG.

For a start, TESDA will be providing skills training for 63 beneficiaries (Codcod-22, Nataban-20, and Quezon-21) coming from marginalized / vulnerable sectors. Said training include Carpentry NC II in Barangay Codcod, Raise Organic Hogs in Barangay Nataban and Produce Organic Concoctions and Extracts in Barangay Quezon.

Other PRLEC members like the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG), Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), Department of Agriculture (DA), Philippine Information Agency (PIA), Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR), Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG), National Commission on Indigenous Peoples (NCIP), Cooperative Development Authority (CDA), Philippine National Police and 79th Infantry Battalion are also expected to provide their interventions for the three barangays.

City Mayor Rene Y. Gustilo and Rep. Gerardo P. Valmayor who led the launching ceremony held at Brgy. Codcod Covered Court, San Carlos City expressed their gratitude to PRLEC. Both vowed their support to the implementation of Project Vamos.

In his speech, TESDA VI Regional Director Jerry Tizon inspired the beneficiaries by sharing his life story. “If I made it despite the adversities I’ve been through, you can do it too. I am a son of a fisherman but I never settled for what we were. I strived and I became the person in front of you today,” he said.

“These programs of the government enable you to be progressive skilled workers of this country. Never waste this opportunity given to you especially the help because the knowledge you’ll be gaining from this training program is the only thing that can never be robbed from you,” Tizon added.

Acting Provincial Director Romelia Nuezca said that the trainings to be conducted will be funded under TESDA’s Special Training for Employment Program (STEP).

Among the benefits include free training cost, free assessment, free entrepreneurship training, internet allowance, 1-year accident insurance, health / personal protective equipment allowance, starter toolkits and training support fund / allowance of 160 per day.

Also present during the launching were Engr. Doreen Ancheta, Cooperative Development Authority (CDA) VI Regional Director, LTC J-Jay Javines Inf (GSC) PA, Commanding Officer of 79th Infantry Battalion, PLTCOL Arthur D. Baybayan, Chief of Police, PNP-San Carlos, Vice Mayor Christopher Paul Carmona, Sangguniang Panlungsod Members- Mark Cui, Carlos Manuel Valmayor, Mariel Avenir, CPDCO Planning Development Officer IV, CPDCO, Erel Lim, PESO In-Charge, Codcod Barangay Captain, Danilo Lastimoso, Mark Anthony Ramas, Brgy. Kagawad of Nataban.

Also representatives of the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), Department of Agriculture (DA), Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR)-North, Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) and National Commission on Indigenous Peoples (NCIP).

City Mayor Rene Gustilo and Rep. Gerardo Valmayor along with PRLEC member agencies like TESDA, DOLE, DTI, DAR, NCIP, PESO, PNP and AFP affirmed their support on the project by signing on the pledge of support and cooperation tarpaulin which highlighted the event.* (Jenie Y. Notchite, Information Officer, TESDA Negros Occidental Provincial Office)