Dualtech Brings Career Opportunities to Island Communities in Linapacan, Palawan

In a continuing effort to offer technical education and employment opportunities, Dualtech conducted a series of visits to eight island barangays in Linapacan to introduce its training programs and reach out to potential scholars.Many students from Coron, whose first batch is set to graduate this year, have shared encouraging outcomes. Several have already received job offers even before completing their apprenticeship, highlighting the industry demand for Dualtech-trained graduates. These stories have inspired the team and volunteer coordinators to visit Linapacan and reach out to youth, offering them alternative and practical pathways for training and employment.

Located between El Nido and Coron, Linapacan is a group of remote island communities. Despite its rich natural resources, access to education, especially secondary and higher education, remains a challenge due to distance, transportation costs, and limited local facilities.

The visits were conducted in collaboration with the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Region IV-B through the Municipal Link in Linapacan Palawan, who gathered 4Ps beneficiaries, out-of-school youth, parents, and other community members.The visit began in Nangala0, where a good number of out-of-school youth were identified. Interest in continuing education has been relatively low, but through the session held at the barangay covered court, both students and parents showed openness to Dualtech’s program. The combination of skills training and employment opportunities offered a practical and attainable path forward.

From there, the team proceeded to Cabunlawan, where conversations with parents highlighted the financial strain of sending children to other islands for high school and to the city for college. In comparison, Dualtech’s program was seen as a more sustainable option, especially given its direct link to employment after training.The visit to San Miguel gathered a wider audience, including 4Ps beneficiaries, high school teachers, and graduating senior high school students. This stop also became an opportunity to introduce Dualtech to barangay leaders from nearby San Nicolas and Pical, helping expand awareness beyond a single community.Building on this interest, the team continued to Maroyog royog, where local support was already evident. The barangay chairman, having personally visited Dualtech, expressed confidence in the program and committed to sending their first batch of students. Residents were further encouraged after hearing the experiences of scholars from New Culaylayan who had already undergone training.In New Culaylayan, the engagement deepened through meetings with parents of current scholars and 4Ps beneficiaries. Barangay official representatives who had previously visited Dualtech shared their positive impressions of the training environment and facilities, strengthening community trust in the program.

The visit continued in Barangonan, where participants, including out-of-school youth and potential students, expressed a preference for employment-oriented opportunities. Dualtech’s apprenticeship model directly addressed this need, making the program particularly relevant to the community.Similarly, in Pical, interest in the program was evident. Community members expressed their willingness to help promote Dualtech, especially as awareness had already started to spread through students connected to nearby San Miguel.In Calibangbangan, the barangay chairman took an active role by organizing the career talk for 4Ps beneficiaries. Support from barangay officials who had previously visited Dualtech further reinforced efforts to promote the program within the community.

Finally, the outreach concluded in Decabaitot, where the realities of limited access to education were most evident. With only an elementary school on the island, students must travel elsewhere to complete high school, often leading some to stop their education altogether. For many families, Dualtech offered a practical and hopeful alternative, especially with its pathway to immediate employment.

Through each island visit, a common theme emerged: the desire of communities to access education and stable employment opportunities. Dualtech’s presence in Linapacan represents more than just program promotion, it is a step toward bridging gaps, empowering youth, and bringing hope to even the most remote island communities.