TESDA, ICT-BPAP NegOr offer scholarship for call center agents
by Jennifer Catan-Tilos
DUMAGUETE CITY, Dec. 16 (PIA) The Information and Communications Technology (ICT) Association in Negros Oriental and member-companies of the Business Processing Association of the Philippines (BPAP) have called on individuals who are interested to work as call center agents to avail of the scholarship programs under the IT-BPO Industry-Based Training for Work Scholarship Program (I-TWSP).
ICT Dumaguete president Randy Bandiola said some 900 vacant slots for scholarship are now offered by three TESDA accredited schools.
Metro Dumagute College is now accepting 400 scholars while the remaining slots have divided by the Philippine Call Center Institute (PCCI) and Science Technology Institute (STI).
Bandiola said its association is strengthening linkages with schools and local government units, to attract more potential ICT workers in the province.
In his visit to Dumaguete City, TESDA Director General Joel Villanueva said some P4.5 million has been allocated for the TWSP in the province.
“The allocation is part of the agreement where ICT-BPAP companies have committed to hire at least 70 percent of the graduates within six months after finishing the course,” said Villanueva.
The training program for some 900 scholars consider as "near-hire" workers will help improve their skills they need to qualify as workforce needed by IT-BPO companies, said TESDA Director.
Villanueva urged unemployed individuals who have the basic skills and interest to work in the industry to avail of this free training. This way, we can increase the number and quality of our local talent pool and raise the attractiveness of the province as a BPO destination.
The scholarship program is an expansion of the “Training-for-Work” of the BPAP in partnership with TESDA as part of Pres. Benigno Aquino III’s stimulus package for pre-employment training and re-tooling of incoming workers in the IT-BPO sector.
The training program includes not only voice or call center training but also such important segments of non-voice BPO such as legal, health, care information management, publishing, animation, game development and software development. (PIA/JCT)
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PVC pipes installed to save Dumaguete’s century-old trees
By Rachelle M. Nessia
DUMAGUETE CITY, Dec. 16 (PIA) --- To save the century-old Acacia trees lining the picturesque Rizal Boulevard, the city government of Dumaguete City in Negros Oriental started installing PVC pipes around the trees to prevent them from dying due to dehydration and suffocation.
The pipe installation, costing more than P25,000, is undertaken by the Forestry Management and Development Program (UFMD) section of the City Environment and Natural Resources Office (ENRO).
Said move came after Dumaguete City Mayor Manuel Sagarbarria’s office received a letter from a certain Florante Vicuña who expressed concern over the condition of the old Acacia trees along the boulevard.
“In his letter, Vicuña said that after the back-filling of soil, the trees were pleading help for dehydration of water and air,” said City Information Officer Steve Gabriel in a statement.
Vicuña suggested to drive one-meter long perforated PVC pipes at the sides of the trees.
Arestio Encabo, ENRO UFMD Coordinator, said Mayor Sagarbarria immediately ordered the City ENRO to respond to Vicuña’s concern and take a look at the situation of the Acacia trees in the boulevard.
Work on the pipe installation began on December 1, 2011 with more than 70 PVC pipes seen to be installed before the end of December, said Encabo.
The city government is intent in preserving the Acacia trees which, Gabriel said, is “our remaining link to Dumaguete’s historic past. “
“They have been there since the Spanish, American, and Japanese occupation of the city,” he said. (RMN/PIA Negros Oriental)
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NegOr abaca earns P30 million
by: Jennifer Catan-Tilos
DUMAGUETE CITY, Dec. 15 (PIA) Abaca production in Negros Oriental have reached over P30 million earnings this year, reported Fiber Industry Development Authority (FIDA) here.
Provincial Fiber Officer Nena Locsin of FIDA said the province shipped out more than 500 metric tons of high grade and loose abaca fiber to various businesses.
With 2,400 hectares currently planted with abaca, the province is expanding the implementation of abaca planting materials production as part of its strategy to increase production of quality abaca fiber.
Locsin said the three congressional districts in Negros Oriental have provided funding assistance to intensify abaca production and meet the increase demand in the local and foreign markets.
Hence, FIDA is undertaking the abaca planting materials production to support the planting material requirements of the 3,300 farmers for the expansion and rehabilitation of abaca plantations.
Target municipalities will be provided planting materials where farmers and landowners who have signified their intentions to join the massive planting program. Abaca is grown mostly in the towns of Valencia, Sta. Catalina, Siaton, Dauin, Pamplona, Guihulngan, and some areas in the first district.
FIDA official said Negros Oriental is a recognized producer of high grade abaca fiber in the country. It is used in the production of handicraft products such as fashion accessories, decorative accessories, furniture, garments, textile, packaging materials, table-top accessories, playthings for pets, sports paraphernalia(www.abacaphilippines.com). The said fiber is also known worldwide as Manila hemp.
The increase demand of abaca is partly due to the advocacy on eco-friendly becomes more intense with the growing awareness and concern to care for and protect the environment.
A report noted "From a host of industrial products to home furnishings and housewares, fashion and its accessories to packaging of food, apparel and other items, eco-friendly materials like abaca are in greater need and importance."
Abaca fiber is also extensively used in the production of industrial papers, power cable papers, insulating boards for motors, vacuum cleaner bags, tape papers, absorbent saturating papers (used for gasket work), high strength rope, sack papers, and abrasive base paper.
The cottage industry makes abaca into footwear, placemats, doormats, curtains, wall overlap and decors, coasters, bags, rugs, and many other useful items. (PIA/JCT)