BAGUIO CITY – Nobody can change God’s timing. He gives humanity hopes and dreams for certain things to happen in their lives, but He doesn’t always let them see the exact timing of His plan that is why life is full of surprises.
An evident example of God’s timing is always perfect is Department of the Interior and Local Government Local Government Operations Officer II Humphrey Anapen of the Ifugao Provincial Office who placed 6th in the recently concluded LGOO 54th Batch of Apprenticeship Program of the Department through its training arm, the Local Government Academy.
“To be honest, I had no expectations in getting any recognition. However, being recognized as one of the Department’s top-performing apprentices in this year’s apprenticeship program amplified the experience,” LGOO II Humphrey Anapen said.
Adding, “The training program as a whole is difficult. It was designed to test not only our technical abilities, but also our physical and emotional stamina. I’m just glad that I finished and graduated from this apprentice program, and the award is just icing on the cake”.
LGOO II Anapen shared that he was also part of the 53rd batch but was not able to proceed to the final phase, saying, “I only wanted to redeem myself from not being able to proceed to the final phase of my previous training, the idea of proving I can finish what I started is what prompted me to undergo the training again, thus a minor setback will not derail me from achieving my goal.”
When asked what motivated him, he stated his strong desire to do things the right way and his competitive drive in achieving his goals.
“I accepted the fact that I couldn’t change the past and the only thing I could do was stop moping around and seize the opportunity to make things right – which I did, and I’m glad my efforts were recognized,” he said.
LGOO II Anapen recalled that the apprentices had the hardest training in the Academy that is capable of breaking them, that even calling it difficult would be an understatement. Despite this, the Academy is a dream maker; it made their dreams a reality, perhaps not exactly the way they wanted, but exactly what they needed.
“One of the major challenges I experienced was being away from my family while being so focused. As a married man, my family is my top priority but for the sake of my family’s common goal and to formally finish what I started, I remained patient and trusted the process. With the help and support of my colleagues, friends, and of course, my family, I was able to gather the strength and focus my energy on finishing my apprenticeship,” he said.
Anapen, who started his DILG journey as an Administrative Assistant in 2015, saw how LGOOs play a crucial role in the delivery of public service in the workplace, that is why he tried applying and fortunately was able to land a job as an LGOO.
“Working in the Department enables me to make a positive and significant difference in our community by serving as a catalyst in attaining the Department’s mission and mandates. As an LGOO, we have the opportunity to not only develop our individual skills, but also to become one of the primary movers of good governance in our own community. And nothing, in my humble opinion, is more rewarding than assisting others,” he said.
The apprenticeship program is a competency-based training program designed to equip the LGOOs with the necessary core, functional and leadership competencies that will prepare them to assume the roles and responsibilities of higher LGOO positions.
For LGOOs to qualify for the program, they should have performed the functions of their position as LGOO II or III for at least 6 months prior to the cut-off date specified by the Local Government Academy (LGA).
Likewise, the apprentice must be able to pass the requirements of each Program component namely: General Orientation, Foundation Course, Supervised Field Work, Assessment, and Revalidation to be eligible for a Certificate of Completion.
Completing the 54th apprenticeship program as well are DILG CAR LGOO III Danilo Azarcon, DILG Mountain Province LGOO II Ivy Rose Khayad, DILG Abra LGOO II Antonio Carlos Nolasco, and DILG Apayao LGOO II Kevin Royce Bugtong. By PMTG
