Meet Remie Patalita Jr., a persistent young individual from Barangay Bukangliwayway, Kibawe, Bukidnon who recently earned a promotion as a Line Quality Control at the Hanjin Heavy Industries (HHI) and Construction Co. Ltd. Philippines in Subic Zambales.
Mr. Patalita was one of the 30 beneficiaries who completed Plumbing NC II, a technical course supported by the Department of Social Welfare and Development’s Sustainable Livelihood Program (SLP). For 20 days, the program beneficiaries went through vigorous and hands on training on plumbing to prepare them for possible employment.
Motivated by his dreams to develop education and support his family (a mother who is under medication and a younger brother in school), Mr. Patalita, worked his way to succeed.
Months after he completed the technical course, he submitted himself to a free Pipe Fitting NC II offered by the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA). He then worked as a trainee at the Cagayan de Oro City Water District Office for a month, to gain experience.
Given his credentials, he then received an opportunity to work as Pipe Fitter at one of the largest construction industries in the Philippines. This is an employment opportunity, which DSWD worked out and supported through SLP’s Pre-employment Assistance Fund (PEAF) amounting to Php 3,500.00, to complete his documentary requirements to take the job.
Since his employment, he was able to send about 50,000.00 to his family.
“The success of our program beneficiaries is our success as well”, says Gretchen Jimenez, the Project Development Officer for SLP, assigned in this municipality.
The SLP is a multi-stakeholder program of the department that aims to improve the standard of living of poor households by facilitating opportunities for development and management of resources viable for micro-enterprises, community empowerment through skills training and employment facilitation.
The provision of Technical/Vocational Skills Training and Pre-Employment Assistant Funds form part of the modalities of SLP to improve the employable skills of beneficiaries.
Written by JAMILA M. TAHA, DSWD
###