Thirty-four clients of the South Cotabato Balay Silangan Reformatory Center officially graduated yesterday from the skills training program on Cookery and Bakery NCII under the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) South Cotabato Provincial Office.
Said training was offered to clients for free to give them an opportunity to gain livelihood skills in preparation for their reintegration into the community as soon as they finish their program in April this year.
Acting Center Head Rosemin Catubig said the program for the current batch which started in October last year will last for six months and will end next month.
“Before they graduate from this program at least they have acquired knowledge and skills as their start-up in life.” She said,
Governor Rey S. Tamayo Jr. as the inspirational speaker during the graduation ceremony said that the establishment of the facility was not that easy.
“Hindi naging madali ang pagpapatayo ng pasilidad na ito, maraming mga balakid ngunit naniniwala ako na kailangan ninyo ng pagkakataon upang makapagsimula muli, huwag ninyo itong sayangin. ” Governor Tamayo said,
TESDA Provincial Director Engr. Alfredo Penuela also attended the graduation ceremony and handed over to the graduates their Certificate of Training under the Special Training for Employment Program (STEP) and cash checks for their training allowances called at the Training Support Fund (TSF) at Php160 per day.
