For the first time, Senators Alan Peter and Pia Cayetano merged their assistance programs with those of the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) and Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), providing 253 TESDA graduates from Albay with additional livelihood assistance on April 11 and 12, 2024.
The 253 Albayanos who took up various courses at the Sunshine International School in Daraga were part of the scholarship program of the Cayetanos under TESDA.
They graduated on January 31, 2024 taking the Special Training for Employment Program (STEP) and Training for Work Scholarship Program (TWSP).
The livelihood assistance, which was provided in partnership with DSWD through its Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situation (AICS) Program, is part of the Cayetanos’ convergence of social protection programs to ensure the welfare and livelihood of Filipinos.
This convergence program by the senator siblings is provided to beneficiaries or a group of beneficiaries who receive multiple assistance under various government programs. It is not a one-time help extended by the senators but can be done in several phases to ensure the sustainability of their income.
For the TESDA graduates, this is the first-ever convergence program of the Cayetanos to help them move forward from being students to practitioners. The help came in the form of tool kits, capital, and other forms of assistance.
On April 11, the initial day of distribution at the Sunshine International School Gymnasium, the offices of the senators provided assistance to 253 TESDA graduates and to members of a women’s sector, and youth.
Al John Vibar, a cookery scholar, was among the beneficiaries. Expressing his gratitude, Vibar said, “Maraming salamat po sa pribilehiyong ibinigay ninyo sa amin.
Masaya po ang experience namin sa cookery, marami po akong natutunan. Gagamitin ko po ito para makapagsimula ng negosyo.”
In attendance was Nanette Baranda, a representative from TESDA Albay, who also extended her thanks to the senators.
“We are very thankful because our students will be able to apply their learnings from the qualifications they have chosen and graduated,” she said.
On the second day of distribution on April 12, 100 more beneficiaries from sectors such as women, farmers, house helpers, sampaguita vendors, and habal-habal riders in Barangay Badbad, Oas, Albay, received assistance to help improve their livelihood.
This was done in coordination with Barangay Iraya Norte Kap. Greggy Ricarte.
“Nagpapaabot po ako ng pasasalamat sa ating mga senador sa pagpunta po at pagbigay ng biyaya sa aming lugar,” expressed Barangay Captain Jenny Biñan, as he thanked the senators for bringing the AICS program to their community.
The senators have been actively collaborating with government agencies such as the DSWD, TESDA, local government units, and other organizations to provide aid to various sectors nationwide as part of their goal to improve the lives of Filipinos.
