Mayor Cezar T. Quiambao conferred 90 training certificates to the newly trained individuals in dressmaking (Enhanced Doormat Making) last Tuesday, December 27, at the Municipal Covered Court.

The activity was a collaboration between the LGU, in partnership with the Kasama Kita sa Barangay Foundation, Inc. (KKBFI), and the Wellcare Institute of Science and Technology (WIST) and the Sustainable Livelihood Program (SLP) of the Department of Social Welfare and Development, to give indigents of the town the proper tools and skills to help them get employed and empowered to contribute to a more progressive town.

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Quiambao said he is very glad with this kind of activity, even as he added that this move will certainly help the townspeople of Bayambang to find permanent jobs and further hone their skills. “Huwag tayong mawalan ng pag-asa. Kailangan nating magsikap at huwag makontento sa kung ano ang mayroon tayo,” Quiambao said.

He said that, in his case, “Sinasabi ng iba na nasa akin na ang lahat, pero hindi pa rin ako kuntento… kasi ang kasiyahan ko ay makita ang mga Bayambangueño na di naghihirap.”

Further, the local chief executive challenged the graduates to make an impact by surfing the global market with their newly acquired skills in order to diminish poverty being empirically felt by the majority. He disclosed that 7 out of 10 high school graduates in Bayambang do not go to college, so there is a need to acquire various skills and find other means of livelihood.

Managing Director of KKBFI Levin Uy said the graduates should embark on these three principles, which are skills, courage and commitment, because these are the crucial factors in being successful. “Dapat maging independent tayo at confident,” Uy added.

During the 20-day training of the participants, the LGU provided the facility and food for their daily activities. On the other hand, more than 20 sewing machines were distributed by DSWD among the graduates to serve as their starter equipment.

It can be recalled that upon assuming the office last July 1, the Quiambao administration, together with the non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and other offices, launched a series of activities for indigents and drug surrenderees of the town such as reflexology, housekeeping, computer servicing, and cosmetology, among others.

Among the projects initiated by the Regional DSWD Office that have been successful so far are broiler-raising projects in Brgys. Pantol and San Gabriel 1st and security guard training course in KKBFI’s Amanperez training center. Graduates of the latter attended a joint inter-town commencement exercise held in Calasiao last December 20. (Bayambang PIO/Media Affairs Office)