In order to strengthen the provision of skills training and employment facilitation to Pantawid Pamilya program beneficiaries, the Department of Social Welfare and Development – National Capital Region (DSWD-NCR) expanded partnership with 24 schools and institutions and two (2) private partners through signing of Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) recently.
With this, the Department will release educational assistance funds to beneficiaries for payment in their enrollment to partner schools and institutions which will undertake their corresponding tasks in providing skills training/ employment facilitation for the beneficiaries, as stipulated in the MOA.
Among the leaders of the partner institution is Sister Josie Onag, president of San Juan de Dios Educational Foundation who affirmed during the MOA signing ceremony that this provision of skills training is indeed necessary to Pantawid Pamilya beneficiaries. As she said, “this will help in liberating the poor from the cage of poverty.”
Meanwhile, DSWD-NCR Director Ma. Alicia S. Bonoan emphasized that this initiative proves that the Department is truly working on improving the level of well-being of the poorest families in Metro Manila.
Director Bonoan also recognized the support of the new partner stakeholders in providing skills training for Pantawid Pamilya beneficiaries for competitive employment. Through this, they become part of the national effort in alleviating poverty in the country.
As beneficiary of the previous cash-for-training program of DSWD in
partnership with Technical Education and Skills Training Authority (TESDA), Ms. Medy Salvador, 48 years old, expressed gratitude in her message during the event.
Salvador attended skills training in housekeeping at Asian Touch International Institute, Incorporated in April to June 2013. Afterwhich, she was immediately hired as trainer at the said institute and is now earning a minimum wage.
“Nung pagpasok ko ngayon dito sa venue, sabi ng PDO ko, wow ate ‘di ka na mukhang beneficiary ha. Ang sabi ko naman ay Sir yan ang pagbabagong naidulot sa akin ng Pantawid Pamilya… lubos ang aking pasasalamat at isa ako sa napiling mag training at ngayon ay nakapasok na ako sa maayos na trabahong lubhang malaking tulong sa aking pamilya,” Salvador proudly stated.
This partnership of the Department will benefit a total of 901 Pantawid Pamilya beneficiaries with a budget of P11, 464, 386.90.### (DSWD-NCR Social Marketing Office, August 15, 2014)