Drug Surrenderers in Bukidnon to Get P1.9-M Skills Training Program
Bukidnon is preparing to spearhead a P1.9-M skills training program for illegal drug surrenderers this month.
City Local Government Operations Officer (CLGOO) Maida Daniot said on Friday that the skills training will begin this month up to December. It was also recently announced by Mayor Ignacio W. Zubiri.
“The training will be held at the city TESDA (Technical Education and Skills Development Authority) training center in barangay Casisang. “We are in the process of finalizing the list of interested drug surrenderers to avail the four skills that we offered,” said Daniot.
The skills training will include manicure, small engine repair, electrical installation, and massage.
“Beneficiaries for manicure and massage will undergo 10 days straight training. For electrical installation and small engine repair, they will undergo 20 straight days training,” she added.
The first two skills training that will be offered are for manicure (with 30 slots available) and small engine repair (with 50 slots available). While the skills training for electrical installation and massage will follow.
Daniot added that in 2019, skills trainings will be offered as part of the continuing program of the city government. Each participant will also be given a maximum of PHP150 daily travelling allowance.
Community Based Rehabilitation Program (CBRP)
The skills training is part of the Community Based Rehabilitation Program (CBRP) for drug surrenderers in the city. It’s a project that was launched December last year, and is being implemented by the city government.
According to Daniot, the skills training is voluntary and that the beneficiaries can only receive the livelihood assistance if they are attending the skills training program.
In cooperation with TESDA, the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) will be implementing this project.
Last August 25, 2018, individuals from the 12th batch of the CBRP have graduated in a ceremony held at Barangay 9 covered court in Malaybalay. A total of 2,647 from 3,200 individuals, or about 83 percent of drug surrenderers, in Malaybalay City completed their three-week CBRP since 2017.
While more than 500 TokHang (Toktok Hangyo) responders have failed to avail the CBRP.
“Rehabilitation program is needed for the individuals who are in the list. A barangay will not be declared drug free if not all of them will undergo the rehabilitation process. And of course the city cannot be declared drug free because of them,” Daniot said.
The City Local Government Operations Officer also urged the graduates to totally abandon drugs. She added that they will continue to monitor the activities of the rehabilitation beneficiaries even after they have passed the community-based rehabilitation.
via Philippine News Agency / Mel Madera
