Fifty residents of Brgys. Poblacion 5 and 6 in Catanauan, Quezon Province recently provided means to earn more for their families through livelihood training courses on dressmaking and baking.

The said residents, who earn less than Php7,000.00 per month, underwent a 15-days training on the dressmaking and baking under the program of the Technical Education and Skills Development Authrority (TESDA).

Last December 10, 2016, 14 trainees passed the final examination on baking and earned a National Certificate (NC) II while the another 25 of the participants are scheduled to take the NC II examination on dressmaking on January 15, 2017.

Jessabel Cuabo, one of the NC II passers on baking, is grateful for the opportunity provided and is looking forward to earn more and be able to provide the needs of her family. She is currently applying as a teacher / instructor of a baking course being offered in a local school under the K-12 program of the Department of Education. Raquel Cabangon, one of the trainees on dressmaking, also expressed gratefulness for the opportunity to acquire new skill which she firmly believes she can use to find a regular job or start a small business.

“Magsusumikap ako para patuloy na magamit ang kaalamang ito at kumita nang sapat para maiahon sa kahirapan ang pamilya ko,” shared Cabangon, 47.

Aside from the training, the said community were also provided seven (7) sewing machines, and sewing and baking kits which were used in the conduct of the said trainings.

The livelihood trainings are among the prioritized projects of the barangays to the Kapit Bisig Laban sa Kahirapan-Comprehensive and Integrated Delivery of Social Services (Kalahi-CIDSS) program of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD).

The Kalahi-CIDSS is a community-driven development program which builds the capacity of local residents and gives them the power to decide, plan and implement projects responsive to their identified needs.

For 2017, another 190 community identified projects are expected to be completed in the 12 municipalities in Quezon Province. # with reports from LPalermoxxx