Posted on by Janine Joy Altero

Smiles of success. Security Guard trainees with PMEO Fevie Allen dela Cruz (in blue), CDEDO Maynard Cezar (in pink polo shirt) and personnel from PNP and TVC Security Training Academy, Inc. (left photo) Christopher Valdez, class valedictorian (right photo)

Nineteen security guard trainees stood proud as they hold their certificates of completion during the Pre-Licensing Training Course on Security Guard (PLTC) graduation ceremony on 10 July 2017 at the City of San Fernando, La Union. The said trainees, who are from Sinait, Santa Lucia, and San Esteban towns of Ilocos Sur, are Pantawid Pamilya beneficiaries who underwent skills training under DSWD through its Sustainable Livelihood Program (SLP), in partnership with TVC Security Training Academy, Inc. A total of Php258,280.00 from the employment facilitation fund of SLP (Php66,100.00 for five participants from San Esteban, Php54,980.00 for four participants from Santa Lucia, and Php137,200.00 for 10 participants from Sinait) were utilized to cater the training requirements of the beneficiaries.

In an interview, Glenn Mirabel, 36, from Sinait town, gratefully expressed his optimism and joy as one of the Security Guard trainees, “Napalalo ti yamanko ta nairamanak nga nabenepisioan. Barbareng no makabirokak ti napintas a pagtrabahoan tapno saan kamin (pamilyak) ton a maibilang a 4Ps. (I am very grateful to be included in the program. I am looking forward to getting a good job so we, my family, will no longer be listed as Pantawid Pamilya beneficiaries).” Glenn, who is a farmer before enrolling in the program, admitted that the compensation he gets out of farming is not enough to sustain the needs of his growing family.

Also, the class valedictorian, Christopher Valdez, 23, from Santa Lucia town, expressed his excitement in starting his career as a Security Guard, “Barbareng no makatrabahoak insigida ta matulongak dagiti nagannakko. Kayatko pay ngamin ti agbalin a security guard tapno makatulongak ti safety dagiti tattao. (I look forward to getting a job the soonest so I can help my family earn a living. I really wanted to become a security guard so I can help safeguard the lives of people).”

SLP is a community-based capacity building program of DSWD that aims to improve the socio-economic status of its participants. This includes technical-vocational training, financial assistance to secure pre-employment requirements, short-term employment to help them earn money for livelihood projects, and capital fund in putting up an enterprise. (by: Janine Joy B. Altero, Social Marketing Officer, Sustainable Livelihood Program)