SOME 26 out-of-school youths (OSYs) graduated in the basic skills training on bayong (native bag)-making, a project under the YES or Youth Entrepreneurship Support Project of the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI).
Ma. Vaniza Ellen Tuada is among the beneficiaries who were provided with technical assistance in the area of entrepreneurial training.
After the training, Vaniza's group then sold their "bayongs" outside the Redemptorist Parish in Bajada, Davao City.
Facing President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, during the awarding ceremony at the Marco Polo Davao Grand Ballroom last January 5, Vaniza expressed gratitude to the President for the implementation of project, which gave her a new skill that could help her support her family.
Bayong making is being promoted to the youth because it has a big domestic and international market brought about by the increasing awareness of the people for environmental protection.
This particular market demand has given Davao region an edge over any other region in the country. Davao is considerably abundant in naturally fibrous leaves, which is a basic raw material for bayong.
Aside from the training, the young beneficiaries were also provided with start-up kits to help them start operate their livelihood undertakings. The kit includes raw materials, tools and equipments and other inputs.