TABUK CITY, Kalinga – The Public Employment and Services Office (PESO) conducted a consultation workshop with barangay officials on June 6, 2024, regarding the integration of employment-related projects, activities, and programs (PPAs) into their Annual Investment Program (AIP).
The AIP is the yearly portion of the Local Development Investment Plan. It includes all the resources needed for the PPAs of the local government, covering both capital expenses and regular operating costs.
Baldo Garnace Jr. from the CPDO discussed the basics of barangay development planning. He said that it serves as a basis for higher local development councils to integrate barangay priority projects.
Garnace also emphasized the significance of planning so that the barangay can first support community-driven projects, such as the PESO-recommended integration of employment-related programs.
PESO, through its head, Loyda Saboy, has invited various agencies, including DOST, TESDA, DOLE, DTI, OWWA, and Kalinga State University, to present their programs. She said that in order to strengthen their local employment programs, the barangay can establish networking with these agencies.
Engr. Jodilyn Siena of DOST talked about their banner project, the Small Enterprises Technology Upgrading Program (SETUP), a program helping small businesses use technology to improve operations, productivity, and competitiveness. “Tulungan tayo dagiyay nga mangkayat agnegosyo or dagiyay adda existing nga negosyo na tapnu iti kasta ket mapasayaat da ti process ti production da, mapapintas da dagiyay products da, ken mapaadu da ti volume ti production da tapnu iti kasta ket mapa-expand iti market da,” she said.
Siena also said, “nu umad-adu iti negosyo ti lokalidad tayo mas ad-adu iti employment nga ma-create tayo.”
Additionally, Ninjune Belit of TESDA CSITE-Kalinga Campus demonstrated support by sharing their training programs, emphasizing that barangays can partner with them to train locals for employment opportunities.
Belit said that TESDA Kalinga provides a range of training, including automotive servicing, barangay health services, bread and pastry production, barista training, food and beverage services, housekeeping, carpentry, masonry, English language proficiency, and more. By Rio Bassong