At least 2,914 disadvantaged youths in Metro Manila will benefit from the Cash-For-Training program which will be jointly implemented nationwide by the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) and the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA).

DSWD-NCR Regional Director, Ma. Alicia S. Bonoan said that the government has allocated P1.3 billion for the implementation of the Cash-for-Training Program, P58 million of which will be allocated for the beneficiaries in the National Capital Region.

Bonoan said that this program aims to empower the disadvantaged youths through skills training and assistance that will enable them to practice trade and venture into gainful occupation.

The target beneficiaries of this program are the disadvantaged youths who have been assessed as eligible under the expanded Government Internship Program of the DSWD.

Bonoan explained that the program has two independent components, the training for wage-employment or trabaho and training for self-employment or hanap-buhay.

Under the training for wage employment, the beneficiaries shall be awarded with scholarship vouchers that will entitle them for free training courses in all TESDA authorized training institutions.

The training for hanap-buhay on the other hand will be implemented either through on-site training, school-supervised training or NGO partners training.

The training package is worth P20,000 per beneficiary, which shall be given in the form of scholarship voucher, tool kits, transportation assistance for school based or livelihood fund for on-site training.

The implementation of this program supports the thrust of the government to provide sustainable interventions to disadvantaged youths to improve their plight and condition, and to empower them through skills training and assistance towards gainful employment and entrepreneurial activities.