A total of 261 Filipinos recently graduated from the last batch of livelihood and skills upgrading courses offered by the Philippine Consulate General on Saipan through the Philippine Overseas Labor Office.
Of this number, 37 finished the Building & Fixing Computers class of Marcelo V. Masilungan; 52 in Basic Automotive Troubleshooting by Rosendo V. Maceda; 72 in Culinary Arts (Japanese, Chinese & Mexican Cuisines) by Hermie Cornejo; 9 in Mandarin Language II by Reynaldo L. Garcia; 19 in Advanced Nihongo by Leopoldo O. Rodriguez Jr.; 30 in Basic Fruit and Vegetable Carving; and 42 in Basic Computer Operations II by Jousel Regilme.
The seven courses were the last to be offered by the Consulate, which will remain open to the public until Oct. 31.
Consul General Medardo Macaraig, in an interview, congratulated the graduates for having completed the courses aimed at upgrading their skills that would aid them in finding alternative sources of livelihood.
“It takes time before they realize the benefits of these courses but without us knowing, I'm sure they already benefit from them,” he said.
POLO officer-in-charge Julia Fabian, for her part, expressed hope that they were able to help Filipinos in the Commonwealth by offering these training courses.
“Our aim is to really prepare and equip them in setting up a business, whether here or in the Philippines,” she said in a separate interview.
Fabian also acknowledged all the instructors “for without them, we would not be able to implement our reintegration program.”
With the program wrapping up-for now, until the next organization to take charge of the program is determined-Fabian said they are focused on promoting the P2 billion reintegration program loan funding available for Filipino workers who want to start their own business in the Philippines.
The OFW Reintegration Loan Program is a joint venture of the Department of Labor and Employment, Overseas Workers Welfare Administration, Land Bank of the Philippines, and the Development Bank of the Philippines.
“Any OWWA member with recorded contributions, not necessarily an active member, can avail of this program,” said Fabian.
A list of program eligibility and requirements is available at the POLO office. For more information, visit them at the ground floor of Marianas Business Plaza in Susupe or call 235-3411.
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