47 PWDs Complete AVRC II Training

Forty seven persons with disabilities (PWDs) passed the one year training program and graduated from the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD’s) Area Vocational Rehabilitation Center (AVRC II) in Labangon, Cebu City.

Aside from the 47 graduates, 18 licensed massage therapists and 29 Alternative Learning System (ALS) students who passed both elementary and secondary levels were also recognized.

“Ipakita nga kaya ninyo, dili ta ma discourage. Karon ato gayud gi-encourage, atong mga sectors nga tagaan nato og bili ug pag tagad mao nang aduna kitay nagkadaiyang programa para sa mga PWDs (Show that you can do it, we should not be discouraged. Now, we are encouraging our sectors to give value and attention that is why we have different programs for the PWDs),” DSWD Regional Director Mercedita Jabagat said during the graduation ceremony.

Jesiely Padin, 20-year-old from Carcar City and one of the model trainees, said that joining the DSWD’s vocational program is a big help to her.

“Willing ko ni eskwela sa AVRC ug mokuha og Computer Technology kay kapoy man ug stand-by ug bati kaayo kung matiguwang ka nga walay kaalam (I was willing to study in AVRC and take up Computer Technology course because it’s boring to stay at home and it’s not good to grow old learning nothing at all),” she quoted.

Before, she was a Business Administration student of Sibonga Community College has to stop going to school due to financial problem. “Ayaw kawagtang ug paglaum kay naa ra sa atong pagpaningkamot nga mulambo ta dayon unya labi na nga gipahigayunan mi ug programa sa DSWD alang kanamo (Do not lose hope because if we strive hard, we will really succeed especially now that the DSWD provides program for us),” Jesiely’s advice to her fellow PWDs.

The AVRC II has produced hundreds of PWD graduates since its establishment in 1974. It has been at the forefront of providing human resource development to PWDs through various skills enhancement program which pave the way for their integration to the community.

Included in the skills enhancement program are Therapeutic Massage, Computer Technology, Basic Cosmetology, Consumer Electronics, Electric Motor Repair, Commercial Arts and Crafts, Commercial Cooking, House Keeping, and Dress and Apparel Technology.