DAGUPAN CITY (PIA) – At least 100 military dependents and individuals in geographically isolated and disadvantaged areas (GIDAs) in Pangasinan, Tarlac, Bataan and Zambales are the first target beneficiaries of the training-to-work program of the Philippine Army 702nd Infantry Brigade and the Career Builders Skills Training and Assessment Center Inc. (CBSTACI).
This is after the Philippine Army 702nd Infantry Brigade commander, BGEN. Gulliver Señires and CBSTACI founder Jose Chan, Jr. have sealed on Tuesday a partnership to provide training and employment for military dependents and individuals from GIDA who are willing to acquire skills and work in the domestic job market.
Señires said the Peace and Community Empowerment (PACE) program will start training the military dependents and GIDA residents who may volunteer to enroll starting January next year.
He said the program aims to create a multiplier effect towards community empowerment, economic development, and sustainable peace and security.
“One of the major problems that causes insurgency is poverty. We hope this will prevent residents in geographically isolated and conflict-affected areas from being deceived,” Señires added.
Señires added that the program also plays a vital role in improving the income of soldiers’ families, welfare, and overall family productivity.
“CBSTACI will train people and place them for employment until such time that they will be able to support themselves,” Señires said.
He said the 702nd Brigade and the three battalions will facilitate the information, dissemination, consolidation, selection and transport of trainees who will participate in the PACE program.
Likewise, Chan said the center will provide the beneficiaries of the program with free 15-day training with food, accommodation, medicine, National Certificate (NC II) assessment, free employment processing, and allowance.
He said participants of the program will be trained with vital skills such as masonry, welding, and carpentry, among others.
Chan said individuals from GIDAs who are willing to be trained and work may enroll directly at the CBSTACI located in Pozorrubio town or may apply to the nearest brigade in their area. (JCR/AMB/EMSA/PIA Pangasinan)
