Dualtech Center visits oil-spill affected communities in Oriental Mindoro

In this connected world of countless material transactions daily, some areas are still hampered by the lack of basic necessities. This is often the result of a congregation of factors overlooked or not prioritized over time. But alongside economic distress are also people who constantly look for ways to make a more lasting impact.

The island of Oriental Mindoro, Philippines continues to be a land of promise as it is blessed by many natural resources. Nevertheless, the almost-1 million residents of the island have faced a unique set of challenges such as a typhoon that afflicted local crops 2 years ago, and more recently an electricity crisis that resulted in power rationing. The new government administration has fortunately found ways to aid the local government and alleviate the power issue.

In the case of Oriental Mindoro, not only power outages have hounded the residents. A recent oil spill has resulted in unprecedented losses in local revenue from fisheries and its once-famed tourism. Moreover, the widespread pollution in the area has resulted in a wide range of illnesses across many communities.

Because of these incidents and with the help of Engr. Elbert Napolitano (a local volunteer coordinator), Dualtech representatives went to the towns of Pola and Pinamalayan to conduct career orientation in senior high schools and some communities to inform them about the school’s program and to help their young men to study in Dualtech.

One of the destinations of the Dualtech Center is Bacawan-High School in Brgy. Bacawan town of Pola because it is one of the communities that is affected most by the oil spill. The youth and some of their parents attended the orientation to hear and learn about the Dualtech program.

An insight into many families in Mindoro is their reliance on subsistence farming and fishing. One parent said their small-scale livelihood is harvesting coconut meat (the source of coconut oil) and sideline is selling vegetables so they can buy basic commodities. This got a calamity stipend from the LGU, but they still need to continue their laborious work so they can continue sending their children to school.

About Dualtech

Dualtech is already in its 40th year of empowering needy and out-of-school youth to readily have access to employment in the technical field. Yet everyday is a new opportunity to reach new communities from all areas of the country.  Dualtech is constantly looking for ways to work with various foundations, organizations, partners and individuals whose help eventually change the lives of countless families.