Bigger work and training opportunities await unemployed and out-of-school youth in South Cotabato as the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and the Philippine Business for Education (PBEd) sealed a partnership through Youthworks PH with the local government units of Polomolok, Malungon, and the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Field Office 12.
In a signing ceremony last March 06, 2023, Youthwork PH, represented by its chief of party, Rhea Peñaflor and Polomolok Provincial Gov. Reynaldo Tamayo Jr. formalized the collaboration to respond to the needs of the youth in the area.
“It is such a delight that because of local government partners like the Municipality of Polomolok, we are able to continue serving our communities and bring opportunities to the youth where they are,” expressed Peñaflor.
The team also headed to the Municipality of Malungon and the field office of DSWD where they also conducted the ceremonial signing of the Memorandum of Understanding.
“Our mandate is to provide our services to the vulnerable sectors especially those at the grassroots. We are thankful for YouthWorks PH and we are hoping that this partnership will just be the start of bigger initiatives,” said DSWD Regional Director Loreto Cabaya Jr.
The agreement with the three LGUs will expand the implementation of flexible training for work in their communities by recruiting 600 out-of-school youth into the program and providing support for training subsidies equivalent to at least P3 million.
The collaboration also anchors on the assistance of the Youth Affairs and Development Office, Public Employment Service Office, Sangguniang Kabataan, and other youth organizations for employment opportunities after the trainees have completed the program.
Apart from training, this initiative will also establish a government-industry-academe council to address youth and employment concerns.
Youthworks PH (YWPH) is a private sector-led initiative by USAID and PBEd. To date, YWPH has established priority sites in Misamis Oriental (Cagayan de Oro City and Balingasag), Agusan Del Sur (Prosperidad City, Esperanza, San Francisco, Lapaz), Agusan Del Norte (Buenavista), Zamboanga (Zamboanga City), Soccsksargen (Koronadal City, Tantangan & Polomolok in South Cotabato, General Santos City, and Alabel, Sarangani).
