The Philippine Army’s 79th Infantry (Masaligan) Battalion joined the member agencies of the Poverty Reduction, Livelihood and Employment Cluster (PRLEC) during the graduation ceremony in Barangay Guadalupe, San Carlos City, Negros Occidental on Monday, December 13.

A total of 113 scholars composed of former mass supporters, farmers, indigenous people, and their families have completed their training in Shielded Metal Arc Welding NC I, Carpentry NC II, Produce Organic Concoctions and Extracts, and Raise Organic Hogs funded under the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority’s (TESDA) Scholarship Program.

The ceremony was graced by TESDA Negros Occidental Acting Provincial Director Romelia M. Nuezca; City Administrator Atty. Estafanio Libutan; 79IB Commanding Officer Lieutenant Colonel J-jay Javines; San Carlos City Police Station OIC, Police Lieutenant Colonel Arthur Baybayan; and barangay captains of Buluangan, Codcod, Nataban, Guadalupe, and Quezon.

Member agencies of PRLEC were also present including the Department of Social Welfare and Development, Public Employment Service Office, Department of Trade and Industry, and City Planning And Development Office.

Javines congratulated the scholars for their determination, patience and sacrifices to finish the course.

“The knowledge that you have acquired, together with the materials that you received from this program, will enable you to help your families. We hope that you will continue to move on towards a peaceful and prosperous life and that you will never turn back to the way of living you once had,” Javines said.

He also expressed his gratitude to the efforts of the city government of San Carlos and TESDA-6 in making the undertakings possible./WDJ