Pantawid Pamilya beneficiaries in Talibon town, Bohol, availed of free skills training through the town’s Community-based Skills Training and Processing Center (CSTPC), a facility funded by the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD).
As of last October, a total of 535 partner-beneficiaries graduated from various skills trainings conducted by the DSWD’s Sustainable Livelihood Program like shielded metal arc welding, driving, masonry, refrigeration and air-conditioning, cookery, hilot (wellness massage), automotive servicing, cell phone repair, hair-cutting services, pedicure and manicure services.
Currently, there are ongoing skills training at the center like dressmaking, tailoring, food and beverage, construction painting and landscaping.
Constructed in 2015 to address the lack of skills training centers in Bohol, the CSTPC lies on a one-hectare lot owned by the local government of Talibon. It can accommodate 120 people.
The facility worth P10.5 million is located in Barangay San Isidro.
The center houses the working area with complete equipment for every corresponding course: a briefing area, offices of instructors, registrar and director.
As implementing partner, the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (Tesda) ensures the quality of skills training provided to the partner-beneficiaries.
Talibon Mayor Restituto Auxtero said that with the Tesda-certified skills training, the graduates can apply for jobs either locally or abroad.
He further said that some may opt to be self-employed or be engaged in their own business using the skills they have acquired.
Aside from the free skills training, the Department of Agriculture (DA) and the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) have also been conducting trainings and seminars on food processing at the center.
Members from different people’s organizations in Talibon have been trained on banana chips processing, seaweeds cracker processing, ube processing, and squash noodles processing, among others.