Korean language course goes wrong?

CEBU, Philippines - A class complaint is being readied against persons responsible for the conduct of a Korean Language course that went allegedly wrong and involved thousands if not millions of pesos. 

The training was conducted by AB Language Training Center based in Cebu.

Commission on Human Rights special investigator Jess Cañete was requested by Gov. Roel Degamo including the provincial attorney Richard Inojo to look into the issue since the Public Employment Service Office (PESO) was dragged into the controversy.

Initial investigations showed that more than 500 applicants have completed a six-week training since October 21, 2013 to December 5, 2013 for a fee of P8,500, P2,500 of which was considered as downpayment and P1,500 payment for the weekly exams.  This excludes the Korean language book which costs P350.

Cañete is expected to subpoena the PESO office in the province headed by Ramon Benedicto, who earlier reasoned out his task was only to open job opportunities for Negrenses and not hold a money-making office.

Next to be summoned is TESDA Negros Oriental which will be made to explain why this has happened. Also to be summoned is Lapu-Lapu City PESO manager Grace Jamio.

Unconfirmed reports have it that Jamio's husband may have had connections with the training center.

The certificate of completion received by the trainees on December 21, 2013 did not bear the logo of TESDA as promised and assured by Jamio.

The CHR stressed AB Language Training Center based in Lapu-Lapu City is not authorized to conduct the training without the authority from agencies concerned. Even worse, the payments are reportedly made without receipts, only through an index card.

The complainants were allegedly promised they will get immediate jobs in Korea after the training which is being negated by the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration in Region 7.

POEA Director Evelia C. Durato gathered all the trainees last week to impart to them that finishing the Korean Language course is not a guarantee that they can be hired immediately in Korea.

She told the complainants only the POEA and TESDA are authorized to conduct the language training.

They were reportedly promised of a Korean language proficiency exam in December, passing which moves an aspirant inch closer to getting a job in Korea. Until now, however, the exam has not been set.

Mike Angelo Silva, who was designated as the spokesperson of the victims, said they're filing a criminal complaint "against persons responsible for the mess."

Cañete said the best thing to do is to file charges against persons involved to recover their money.  When the affidavits are executed, respondents will be given ten days within which to answer the complaints. —/JMD (FREEMAN)