DSWD-7’s AVRC II Commemorates 45th Year

The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) -7’s Area Vocational Rehabilitation Center (AVRC) II recently celebrated its 45th foundation day through gathering of its partner stakeholders, PWD graduates, current trainees and staff.

During the short program held, Mr. Joseph G. Jumantoc, former AVCR orthopedically-impaired trainee and is now the president of the Regional Federation of PWDs, recounted his wonderful experience in AVRC and shared how the center has helped him become a competent individual.

“Through AVRC, I’ve mastered the three major skills: technical, vocational, and leadership, which up to now I get to apply wherever I go.

I am thankful to DSWD, as well as to its partners, who helped in reducing the unemployment rate of persons with disability,” said Jumantoc.

To recognize the significant contribution of the center’s partners, the department’s AVRC II awarded plaques and tokens of appreciation to the different national government agencies, non-government organizations, civil society organizations, and foundations who have consistently shown active commitment to help the center in looking after the welfare of the persons with disabilities in the community.

DSWD-7 Assistant Regional Director for Operations Shalaine Marie S. Lucero in her message during the program, encouraged the guests and attendees of the celebration to let their friends or any PWDs they know to visit the field office’s training center and enroll in technical and vocational courses. She also shared that AVRC II faculty and staff are all out in ensuring that they boost enough the confidence of the trainees before they graduate.

“We continue to expand our horizon. Anyone you know who are PWDs, encourage them to come here because our training facilities offer opportunities. Our staff (in AVRC) strive to help our trainees develop enough self-confidence as they leave the center after graduation,” said Ms. Lucero.

The trainees of the center also showcased their talents by performing song numbers to entertain the guests of the foundation day celebration.

The Area Vocational Rehabilitation Center (AVRC) II is a non-residential institution of the DSWD that provides enabling environment for the Persons with Disability (PWDs) and other special groups in honing and training them to acquire skills and competencies and be deployed in a decent career.