TROUBLEMAKERS NO MORE
ALCALA—Out-of-school youths who used to cause nothing but trouble in Barangay Macayo here have been turned into productive workers through a livelihood-training program initiated by the local government.
Barangay Kagawad Mario Jesus Gambol said more than 50 of his barangaymates who used to be idle and just whiled away time by drinking, stealing bamboo shoots, and stoning houses when they’re already drunk are now contributing to the income of their families.
“Wala ng istambay ngayon sa barangay namin,” Gambol proudly said.
It was Barangay Chairman Eduardo Galapate who first encouraged the young men to join the free livelihood training in welding project of Mayor Manuel Collado held at the town gymnasium.
The project started in 2008 and is still continuing with the help of trainors from theTechnical Education Skills and Development Authority and Luciano Millan Memorial School of Arts and Trade.
Some 612 had completed various courses, mainly on Shielded Metal Arc Welding and Gas Metal Arc Welding with 52 hours training each.
The Department of Labor and Employment also gave the municipal government P1 million to buy equipment and other needs for the welding courses.
The municipal government sets aside a portion of its annual budget for the project and all trainees enjoy free snacks in the morning and afternoon.
Galapates reported that more than 50 of his constituents are now gainfully employed in Hanjin shipping yard in Subic, Zambales as welders.
Aside from helping their families financially, some of them have also been contributing to community projects such as sports tournaments and barangay fiesta celebrations.
Collado, for his part, said he gets goose bumps when hearing the success stories of the beneficiaries.
Now we are seeing the fruits of our concerted efforts. We can proudly say that we did not only train them but empowered them to improve their lives and their loved ones,” Collado said.—Eva Visperas