CITY OF SAN FERNANDO – Acting Governor Dennis ‘Delta’ Pineda ordered all chiefs of police (COPs) in the province to employ and make the drug reformists productive to help and augment the income of their families through livelihood and training programs.
With this, the acting governor announced in a meeting with the COPs yesterday that they will be given 2,000 employment slots under the Tulong Panghanapbuhay sa ating mga Disadvantaged/ displaced workers (Tupad) program of the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) through the Public Employment Service Office (PESO) of the province.
He told the COPs that each municipality will be given appropriate allotment to be filled up immediately.
The acting governor said he wants to maximize the full potential of the drug reformists who graduated from “Bahay Pagbabago through TUPAD program and undergo livelihood trainings under the supervision of the Pampanga Manpower Training Center (PMTC).
“With this livelihood and training program, they could help their families augment their income and continuously send their children to school,” Delta said.
Luningning Vergara, PESO provincial manager said the reformists will undergo ten-day short term employment and they will receive salaries amounting to P364 per day.
Vergara said that under DOLE’s Tupad Program, the reformists will be tasked to clean up the streets and dredge the silted canals of their respective towns and cities.
The acting governor also encouraged the reformists to avail themselves of the free training programs offered throughout the province.
Francis Maslog, officer-in-charge of PMTC, said the trainings are community-based trainings, being conducted in the barangays.
Maslog said trainings are being implemented with the help and in close coordination with the Technical Education and Skills Training Administration (TESDA).
The trainings and skills enhancement program will be offered for free to reformists such as computer hardware servicing, consumer electronics, computer literacy, shielded metal arc welding, automotive servicing technology, electrical installation and maintenance, plumbing, Korean language proficiency training, furniture upholstery, heavy equipment operation, hair dressing, wellness massage, small engine servicing, and beauty care.
“In fact, the drug reformists from Floridablanca and Lubao had already availed the automotive and electrical installation and maintenance training and many of them are now employed and others and self-employed,” Maslog said.
He assured the reformists who will undergo training with PMTC will acquire the required competency enough for local and international employment.
Both COPs – Floridablanca Police Superintendent Cricente Tiguelo and Mabalacat City Police Superintendent Juritz Rara said the livelihood and training program of the provincial government for the reformists will greatly help the former victims of illegal drugs and their families.
JOEL P. MAPILES
