71 PWDs finishes vocational courses of DSWD
By Jennifer C. Tilos
DUMAGUETE CITY, May 29 (PIA) -- Seventy-one persons with disabilities (PWDs) from the different regions in the Visayas and Mindanao recently received their diplomas as graduates of the Area Vocational Rehabilitation Center 11 (AVRC), a facility of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) based in Labangon, Cebu City, during their 36th graduation exercises.
DSWD-7 information officer, Jaybee Binghay said that of the total number of PWDs, 14 finished therapeutic massage; nine in consumer electronics; two in electronic motor repair ; 14 in computer technology; seven, commercial arts and crafts; nine , basic cosmetology; eight, commercial cooking; five, basic sewing; one, food processing, and two in furniture and cabinet making.
During the graduation rites, Training Center Superintendent Herminia Cabahug of the AVRC 11 challenged the graduates to enhance their skills and capabilities and explore the bigger working world by availing of the wide variety of services and trainings designed by DSWD made available for them to compete with the growing demands and opportunities in the market.
Aside from their graduation certificates, nine outstanding trainees received training tools that would help them develop their skills, namely Olymer Adiva for massage, Renen Naason for consumer electronics, Glicerio Escuadro for electronic motor repair, Melvin Rule for commercial arts and crafts, Cherrylyn Linao for computer technology, Evelyn Taboada for basic cosmetology, Ryan Joseph Orrilaneda for commercial cooking, Roselo Dejan and Jesus Eyana for furniture and cabinet making.
On the same occasion, the Department of Education also released the certificates of 29 trainees who have successfully passed the examination for the Alternative Learning System, both for elementary and secondary. Of this number, 15 of them are blinds, said Binghay.
AVRC is a vocational training center operated and maintained by the DSWD since l974 which serves persons with physical and social disabilities like the visually impaired, physically handicapped, negative hansenites, mentally challenge, released prisoners, and other disadvantaged sector.
The center aims to maximize the residual capacities of PWDs through assessment and guidance, social adjustment, medical, vocational training and placement services as well as bring maximum functioning of PWDs for their eventual integration into the community.
Interested PWDs who wish to study or enroll in AVRC may approach their municipal or city social welfare office. (mbcn/JCT/PIA-Negros Oriental)
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Silliman, AusAID launches research project in Masbate
By Jennifer C. Tilos
DUMAGUETE CITY, May 29 (PIA) -- The Australian Agency for International Development (AusAID), together with the Silliman University, launched on May 24 a project dubbed "Participatory Evidence-Based Research and Learning (PERL) in Masbate Province."
"This is the first time AusAID will be supporting an initiative of its kind," Counsellor Andrew Egan of AusAID said of the project
"We believe that Silliman University has a great potential to contribute to the growing development in the Philippines. We place great important on supporting the PERL project and create opportunities for the poor and marginalized to participate fully in the development process," Egan added.
PERL in Masbate is a collaborative between Silliman University and AusAID that seeks to improve the development planning capacity of the local government unit of the province of Masbate. It is being administered for Silliman by its School of Public Affairs and Governance.
Among those present during the launch were Silliman President Dr. Ben Malayang III; Masbate Province Assistant Administrator Jose Tamayo, representing the Governor Rizalina Seachon-Lanete, and AusAID Social Development Adviser Andrew Parker. (mbcn/JCT/PIA-Negros Oriental)
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Santacruzan festival winner named
By Jennifer C. Tilos
DUMAGUETE CITY, May 29, (PIA) -- Dumaguete City has declared Barangay Buñao as the champion in just recently concluded Santacruzan Festival.
Barangay Buñao led by barangay Captain Lionel Banogon received P50,000 cash prize for the champion plus trophy.
Barangay Piapi garnered the first runner up, who accepted also a cash prize of P30,000 and a trophy.
The second runner-up award was bagged by Barangay Poblacion 7, who got P20,000 cash prize and a trophy.
Other winners for minor awards went to Barangay Buñao, best in choreography and best in street dancing.
For best production design, Barangay Piapi got again a P10,000 and a trophy, while Poblacion 7 got the best in costume.
The festival queen for this year comes from Barangay Motong, Reyna Esperanza. She symbolizes the virtue of hope, who also received P5,000 plus a trophy.
Non-winners barangay received P10,000 each for consolation prizes.
Dumaguete City Mayor Manuel Sagarbarria lauded the City Tourism Council and the Tourism Office led by Woodrow Maquiling, Jr., for the job well done for the success of the festivities in the city.
The activity ended with fireworks display with the GMA Kapuso showbiz personalities at the Quezon Park. (mbcn/JCT/PIA-Negros Oriental)