Jobless, Bontoc PWDs trained for livelihood

By Alpine L. Killa-Malwagay

BONTOC, Mountain Province – Twenty Persons with Disability (PWDs) and self-employed individuals underwent free massage training March 20-24 at municipal capitol so they could earn despite their condition.
    The training involved lectures and demonstrations from physical therapist Irish Farnican-Astudillo and applied what they learned. 
    Participants were also provided supplies including alcohol, massage oil, facemasks, and towels from Technical Education Skills and Development Authority Mountain Province. 
    Engineer Glenn Murphy, Tesda provincial director said the training aimed to capacitate participants with the necessary skills that would qualify them for work. 
    Executive Assistant Jocelyn Culalling who represented Gov. Bonifacio Lacwasan, Jr., said the training was part of government’s commitment to bring services to the community.
    Municipal Administrator Arthur Leonard Odsey represented Mayor Jerome “Chagsen” Tudlong, Jr.
    He thanked partner agencies for the training and providing essential skills to vulnerable sector of the community and self-employed individuals.
    He added the training will open self-employment opportunities to participants.
     The 5-day training was realized with through collaborative efforts of the Tesda Mountain Province, provincial and Bontoc local governments through the Municipal Disability Affairs Office and the Office of the Community Employment Training coordinator.