Loiterers trained to become welders

Manila, Philippines -  In barangay Macayo in Alcala, Pangasinan, loiterers who used to engage in petty crimes, create trouble and drink the night away are now a thing of the past.

Local officials put them in a livelihood training program that eventually led to employment in a shipping company.

The turning point for these youths was when barangay captain Eduardo Galapate accompanied them to join the free livelihood training project of Mayor Manuel Collado in welding held at the town gymnasium.

The project started in 2008 and is still going on with the help of trainors from the Technical Education Skills and Development Authority and Luciano Millan Memorial School of Arts and Trade, where about 612 had finished various courses, mainly on welding. The Department of Labor and Employment gave the municipal government P1 million, which was used by the mayor to buy equipment for the welding courses.

“Wala ng istambay ngayon sa barangay namin (There are no more loiterers in our barangay),” kagawad Mario Jesus Gambol proudly said.

Galapate said more than 50 of his constituents are now gainfully employed in Hanjin shipyard in Subic, Zambales as welders and now have a new life, building their own homes and sending their siblings to school.

Almost 80 percent of the graduates are now in Hanjin, while some found employment locally and abroad.

“Now we are seeing the fruits of our efforts. We can proudly say that we did not only train them but empowered them to improve their lives and their loved ones,” Collado said.