ISABEL, Leyte- Watch out for the opening of the first of a kind training academy probably in Leyte. It is an opportunity for out- of- school youths, especially high school graduates who remain jobless but has the capability, desire and ambition to earn short-term technical courses that are in demand both here and abroad.

The Purisima Training Academy will officially be launched on September 8 at Barangay Bilwang, some 10 kilometers before entering the center of Isabel. The academy was conceived by a successful businessman and known philanthropist Engr. Saylito Mondales Purisima whose primary objective is to help poor out- of -school youths so they can be equipped with technical skills to arm them in their venture of job seeking viable employment both here and abroad. He is the owner/proprietor of the SMP Engineering Works that is engaged in infrastructure, waterworks installation and other contracts servicing Leyte, Cebu and Palawan clientele. He also takes charge of the engineering works in Palawan.

Included in the plan is for the academy officials to assist graduates land a job after their training. Engr. Purisima will even accommodate prospective and interested enrollees who are extremely poor and therefore cannot pay the training fees for the program via the enroll now-pay later scheme. Purisima has experienced hardships in his student days by finishing his course as a working student the reason why he has a very soft heart to the youth who dreams of a better future.

The launching will be graced by officials from the TESDA (Technical Education, Skills Development Authority) as the academy will be getting technical assistance from the agency in the course of its implementation of the trainings. Also officials from the Department of Education will also be in attendance to inform prospective secondary graduates who may not be able to pursue college education and who may just choose technical education for immediate employment. Formal classes are to start a day following the launching of the training center. The academy’s offering include welding, shield metal art welding (SMAW) NCI and NCII, pipe fitting and some others that will come out in demand as the institution progresses.

A reasonable training fee will be collected for at least a three week period of training depending on the course chosen. The actual implementation will be adequate number of sessions inside the classroom but most of the training activities will be a “hands- on” approach or actual practicum within the vicinity of the SMP Engineering Works Compound. (ALVIN GZ.ARPON)

TACLOBAN CITY- In its effort to help survivors of supertyphoon Yolanda in the city still living in tents, the city government is offering them financial assistance in exchange of going back to their original hometowns. This was revealed by Gloria Fabregas, officer-in-charge of the City Social Welfare and Development Office, who said that those who will avail this scheme of the city government stand to receive P10,000 as financial assistance. The scheme asking the families still living in tents after their homes were washed out during the onslaught of Yolanda is being carried out by the city government under its “Balik-Probinsiya” Program.

Fabregas said that the fund needed for this scheme will be source from local funds of the city government.  “The purpose of Balik Probinsya Program is to make sure that there will be no more residents living in the tent cities” said Fabregas. “Even though they are in their respective provinces, they will still be included in the permanent housing project”, she added. Those who will avail this scheme, they would be given priority in the housing projects being constructed by the city government in the resettlement sites. There are 1,200 families living in tents in the villages of San Jose, Magallanes and Sagkahan areas who could of this scheme, Hermilo “Boy” Naputo, Jr., head of the Barangay Affairs Office of the city government.

“There are 14,000 to 16,000 expected permanent housing units to be build. It will be constructed in Barangay 101(New Kawayan); Brgy.105 (San Isidro) and Brgy. 106 (Sto. Nino) and are expected to be finished within two years with all facilities including electricity and water will be provided,” Naputo added. (ARCHIE FAYE V.BELCHES, LNU Intern)