5 distressed migrant workers get free training from BCSAT

By Pamela Mariz Geminiano

BAGUIO CITY-- Five lucky-picked migrant workers will be receiving free skills training on Bread and Pastry Production National Certification (NC) II from Baguio City School of Arts and Trades (BCSAT) as an affirmation of the agency’s support and recognition to the heroes of the modern world.

“We have given five slots to our OFWs (overseas Filipino workers) to recognize their exemplary contribution to the country’s economic development and to reiterate our support,” said Arlene Cadalig, BCSAT administrator.

The giving of the scholarship is a recognition of the important role that OFWs contribute.

She said the five scholars are OFWs who came home as “distressed workers”- either affected by crisis in the foreign country where they were working or who encountered problems with their foreign employers.

She said that the grant of scholarship is in line with the directive of Secretary Isidro Lapeña to provide skills training to displaced or distressed OFWs.

“As part of this year’s celebration of Migrant Workers Day, BCSAT has given five slots to lucky picked migrants during the event,” she said.

They are Vilma Corpuz, Jon Calantes, Rhealyn Lid-ayan, Christine Joy Aquino, Domingo Pad-eng.

Migrant Workers’ Day is being celebrated in the Philippines every June 7 by virtue of Republic Act No. 8042 or the Migrant Workers Act of 1995 to give recognition to the valuable contributions of the modern day heroes, the hardworking Filipino migrant workers, their families and OFW associations.

Cadalig also said that apart from the free skills training program, the OFWs will be provided free assessment and certification which are requirements for employment.

She also said that the free skills program is also extended to the immediate family members of OFWs.

BCSAT is the only TESDA- administered technical-vocational (Tech-Voc) school in the Cordillera offering scholarships for tourism-related skills like Bread and Pastry Production NC II, Bartending NC II, Food and Beverages Services NC II, Housekeeping NC II, Cookery NC II, and Barista NC II. (Vilma Tolarba-BCSAT)