LEGAZPI CITY, Albay (PIA) -- Twenty students from the Don Bosco Agro-Mechanical Technology Center in Barangay Banquerohan, Legazpi City completed their technical-vocational training course witn no cost, with free board, lodging and monthly allowances as AP Renewables Inc. (APRI) scholars.

These APRI scholars graduated from the 15-month training on Agribusiness, Agro-Mechanics, and General Electricity which are essential to the agriculture-based economy of the province.

Daniel Rey Celso from Tiwi, Albay is among the scholars who completed the program.

Armed with hope for a better future and gifted with education as an APRI scholar, Daniel finished his vocational course in General Electricity as an awardee.

“Mahirap mabuhay kapag hindi ka nakapagtapos ng pag-aaral. Noong hinikayat ako ng mga ate ko na magtapos ay talagang nagpursige ako nang mabuti,” he said.

His extra efforts and struggles finally paid off as he landed a regular job as quality control assistant at Yamashita Mold Philippines Corporation. 

“May isa pa po akong kapatid na kasalukuyang pinag-aaral sa kolehiyo ng iba ko pang kapatid. Kaya noong nalaman kong may ganitong scholarship grant ng technical vocational course ang APRI sa pamamagitan ng Don Bosco ay agad ko po itong kinuha upang makatulong din po sa kanila,” Daniel added.

APRI Vice President for External Affairs Leonardo Robel congratulated Daniel and the other graduates.

“We thank the scholars for not giving up. With 20 graduates now, we hope that [they] will continue to be catalysts for change for [them], [their] family and community.”

Since 2011, 199 students from Albay graduated as APRI scholars. To ensure employment, scholar graduates are hired by APRI or its contractors. This year, another 10 new scholars are expected to finish their vocational courses. 

APRI, a subsidiary of Aboitiz Power (AP), is the biggest geothermal power producer in the country. The AP, together with its partners, is the Philippines’ largest owner and operator of renewable energy.

AP is one of the government partners in providing opportunities for students to successfully finish their studies and brave through the challenges of poverty and financial difficulties. (PIA5/Albay)