AT LEAST 107 scholars have completed various trainings at the Provincial Government-run Negros Occidental Language and Information Technology Center (NOLITC) in Bacolod City.

Of them, 96 completed the Contact Center Services NC II training, while 11 finished the Certified Professional Coder Course.

Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson, in a message delivered by Executive Assistant Charina Magallanes-Tan in rites held at the center on Friday, told the graduates that education and educational policies are among the top priorities of his administration.

Lacson urged NOLITC to reach out more Negrenses and continue to provide opportunities for the youth.

"Education remains to be the most important tool in lifting families out of poverty," he added.

The governor added that his administration "is doing the right thing and on the right track of empowering the Negrense youth."

"There is no reason for us not to further push boundaries and break barriers," Lacson said, as he thanked industry partners of the center for their support in opening the doors of opportunity for Negrense youth.

Panasiatic Solutions Site Director Siony Hijara-Ferraris, who is present at the activity, lauded the Provincial Government for implementing a program that supports the human resource requirement of the growing business process outsourcing (BPO) industry in the province.

Hijara-Ferraris said the program continues to benefit the youth, encouraging the graduates to put high importance to learning and talent.

"They [youth] should develop growth mindset and embrace their imperfections," she said, reminding the graduates to "make meaning not money and to put value to their environment."

For her part, NOLITC School Administrator Dr. Ma. Cristina Orbecido stressed the importance of industry collaboration in the successful implementation of the center's training programs.

Also present during the graduation rites were other representatives of Panasiatic Solutions, Medstar Philippines, Ubiquity, Carlos Hilado Memorial State College-Binalbagan, and Negros Occidental High School.