“Skills training and livelihood support open opportunities for economic activity,” Cong. Edgar Chatto said as he met Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) Regional Director Gamaliel Vicente, Jr., on July 7, 2022 in Balilihan town; reports say.

Provincial Director Winefredo Salas, Tubigon TESDA Training Center Chief Levy Yosoya and Balilihan Mayor Pureza Chatto were also present during the meeting at Balilihan.

Chatto is strongly lobbying for the enhancement of training center facilities in addition to skills training as his office has consistently partnered with said agency in the implementation of various technical-vocational courses under the Training-for-Work Scholarship Program (TWSP), Special Training for Employment Program (STEP) and the Private Education Student Financial Assistance (PESFA) programs.

This week, Chatto and TESDA turned over baking tool kits to trainees of bread and pastry course at the Provincial Training Center (PTC) in the towns of Balilihan and Tubigon.

The toolkits were also provided to trainees of produce organic concoctions and extracts leading to organic agriculture production NC II at Egay’s Farm Integrated Organic Farm with program coordinator Kenny June Requeron and PTC’s School Registrar Matet Glovasa.

Meanwhile, Chatto has partnered with the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) in providing a grant for the Alliance of Informal Settlers Organization (AISO) in Cortes town.

Furthermore, Chatto, together with DOLE Provincial Director Jessica Uy, DOLE Senior Labor and Employment Officer Joveline Requinto, Cortes Mayor Lynn Iven Lim, and Brgy. Capt. Renerio Solijon, turned over the check to AISO headed by its president Segundina Abrea on July 6, 2022 at the AISO Hub in Cortes.

The grant will support AISO in its catering business venture, which is part of their efforts to grow their livelihood.

The initiatives aim to provide opportunities for beneficiaries to equip them with skills and capacity to start their own enterprise and earn income.