TWO hundred seventeen residents of the Third District in Negros Occidental recently were awarded their completion certificates by the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (Tesda) for completing the Special Training for Employment Program (Step).

This is to get them ready for gainful employment or to start livelihood ventures in the home or in the community.

The skills training was conducted by Tesda in partnership with the office of Congressman Alfredo Benitez who facilitated the community-based training sessions in coordination with the local government units (LGUs) of the district.

Philippine Women’s University president Jose Francisco Benitez, brother of the congressman, represented him in the graduation programs held recently in Silay City and Talisay City.

He rallied the beneficiaries to bring with them the education and skills, and the dignity of labor, wherever they may be, so they can bring development and progress to their families and communities.

The training included wellness massage, bread-making, cake-making, food processing (salting, curing, smoking), and service motorcycle or small engine system servicing.

Sectoral groups covered were women, fisherfolks, OFWs, drug reformists, and inmates of the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP) in Talisay and Silay. (PR)