ZAMBOANGA CITY, July 12 (PIA) — The Dagyaw Virtual Town Hall Meeting brings together a range of government agencies, civil society organizations (CSO), development partners, academe, and people’s organizations (POs) to engage in a meaningful discussion between the public and private sectors in Zamboanga Peninsula.
In his message, Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG)-9 Regional Director Paisal O. Abutazil emphasized the importance of coordination between the government and CSOs.
“The Dagyaw Town Hall meeting is a part of a larger campaign of the government to empower civil society organizations, especially those that are operating in local communities to collaborate in various government programs that will ultimately bring meaningful changes in our communities,” he said.
Dubbed “Usapang Employment Opportunities: Mapagpasyang Hanapbuhay Para sa Lahat”, the activity aims to help the beneficiaries of the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps), Kapit-Bisig Laban sa Kahirapan – Comprehensive and Integrated Delivery of Social Services (KALAHI-CIDSS), and identified marginalized sectors in the community to address important issues regarding employment opportunities.
In the Town Hall Meeting, citizens can ask questions from the government and provide feedback on public programs and services. Likewise, government agencies may promote and explain government initiatives.
One of the queries raised was how the government provide job opportunities to all the out of school youths given that agencies today do not hire employees who are not college graduates and do not hire employees who do not have related job experiences.
Technical Education and Skills and Development Authority (TESDA) Zamboanga City – Isabela City – District Office Director Omarkhayyam I. Dalagan did not directly respond to the query but ecourage and challenge job seekers to really prepare for the job.
“To look for a job is easy. But the question is—are you ready for the job?,” he said.
Dalagan stressed that TESDA’s programs are always designed for the out-of-school youths and highlights their way of equipping interested individuals with the competencies needed for a particular industry through their offered scholarship programs. After assessment to the enrolled beneficiaries, TESDA offices issues National Certificate II (NCII) to the passers which will enable them to be more employable, productive and flexible to the changing requirements of the industry and the workplace domestic and oversea.
TESDA’s priority target beneficiaries are those who are not employed, not in school, or are not currently undergoing training. The agency also targets the workers, especially the micro, small and medium enterprises in need of upskilling and retooling; the returning overseas Filipino workers, marginalized individuals, and the displaced workers or affected individuals due to calamities or disasters.
During the forum, a third year engineering student who’s also working as a fastfood crew affirms that all the programs of the government are true and being implemented.
“Some of my friends are beneficiaries of the Special Program for Employment of Students (SPES) and TESDA programs,” he said, while inquiring about other programs of DOLE for students like him who needs to work while in college.
Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE)-9 Supervising Labor and Employment Officer (LEO), Sheryl U. Joaquin emphasized that the government offered the SPES only during summer and/or Christmas vacation to students so that beneficiaries are able to pursue and focus on their education. She advises the participant to venture on jobs available in the digital economy, like a virtual assistant.
Joaquin also informed the assembly of the employment facilitation services of DOLE, including the Public Employment Service Office (PESO), the conduct of job fairs, Government Internship Program (GIP), Jobstart and PhilJobNet. They also reminded the public about Republic Act No. 11261 or the First Time Jobseekers Assistance Act that gives first time jobseekers the privilege to get pre-employment documents for free.
Furthermore, the agency continuously strengthens the social protection of the vulnerable workers in the region through the DOLE Integrated Livelihood and Emergency Employment Program (DILEEP). This is their contribution to the government agenda of inclusive growth through massive job generation and poverty reduction through transitional emergency employment and promotion of entrepreneurship and community enterprises. Through its two (2) components, the Livelihood or the KABUHAYAN Program has served 1,715 beneficiaries in the region while the Emergency Employment Program or the TUPAD has served 84,359 beneficiaries as of June 2023.
Joaquin encourages the participants to reflect and give feedback on their services to further improve them.
Meanwhile, the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD)-9 lectured about the Sustainable Livelihood Program, which aims to help strengthen the capacity of participants to have a stable livelihood through mediation of business or work. This program is open to every Filipino family especially to the poor, marginalized, and disadvantaged.
Dagyaw is a Hiligaynon term for “Bayanihan”, which brings the concept of “togetherness”. By providing open, neutral, and protected space for dialogue, Dagyaw 2023 builds mutual trust between the government and the Filipino people. (RVC/CCP/PIA-9)
