A total of 600 Pantawid Pamilya beneficiaries from Pangasinan who were identified as program participants of the Sustainable Livelihood Program of the Department of Social Welfare and Development Field Office I (DSWD FO I) successfully finished various skills trainings offered by DSWD in partnership with the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority-Pangasinan Technological Institure (TESDA-PTI). The said microenterprise development project of Php8,550,625.00 is a fund transfer of the DSWD FO I to TESDA-PTI. The latter’s counterpart include the provision of training supplies, venue, insurance of the program participants during the trainings and the trainer’s honorarium which cost Php142,800.00.

Program participants from the cities of Dagupan and San Carlos, and towns of Binmaley, Bugallon, Calasiao, Lingayen and Sta. Barbara underwent a 34-day Skills Training on Food Processing NC II (500 participants), 30-day Skills Training on Shielded Metal Arc Welding NC II (50 participants) and 15-day Skills Training on Bread and Pastry Production (50 participants).

The project’s objectives are to equip the participants with the new knowledge and skills necessary for enterprise establishment/enhancement, operations, and management; and to certify participants as qualified National Certificate (NC) II holders. The program participants will be referred to partner agencies for possible employment and microenterprise opportunities. (by: Janine Joy B. Altero, Social Marketing Officer, Sustainable Livelihood Program)