City of Ilagan, Isabela- A total of 453 Pantawid Pamilya Pilipino Program (Pantawid Pamilya) beneficiaries and Sustainable Livelihood Program (SLP) participants in this province received their certificate of completion in different qualifications at Isabela School of Arts and Trades-TESDA (ISAT-TESDA) on June 27, 2016.

The graduation rites were held at the ISAT-TESDA grounds with the parents of the graduates from various municipalities of the province, partner LGUs, DSWD Field Office 02 staff and the school’s staff cheering   for the graduates.

“Bagama’t importante ang college diploma, kailangang linangin natin ang ating mga kakayahan lalo na sa mga kasanayang napapanahon dito sa ating rehiyon o  bansa upang masiguro ang ating kabuhayan (while it is true that a college diploma is important, it is equally important to hone our skills particularly those that are in demand in our region or in our country in order to secure our livelihood),” said Ms. Lucia S. Alan, OIC Assistant Regional Director of the DSWD Field Office 02 and  the guest speaker of the event.

Ms. Alan also encouraged the graduates to make use of their learnings whether for local or overseas employment to help their respective families.

Meanwhile, Imee A. Alejandro from San Mariano, Isabela, who completed Front Office Services NC II, expressed her gratitude to DSWD.

“In behalf of my family, I wish to express our gratitude to DSWD particularly SLP and its partner, ISAT-TESDA, for giving us hope of a better future now that I am equip with skills to help augment my family’s income,” Imee shared.

And to help them start with their livelihood, the graduates were   provided with tool kits.

To date, there are 3, 012 SLP participants who completed various skills trainings or qualifications and they were assessed as eligible for local and overseas employment by TESDA. ### By: Gela Flor R. Perez, Regional Information Officer II